Alcohol Consumption Associated With Suicidal Ideation, and Suicide Attempts in Substance Users: A Cross-Sectional Study of an Addiction Registry in Western Iran Publisher Pubmed



Farnia V^{1, 2} ; Mohebian M¹ ; Davarinejad O^{1, 3} ; Hien DA⁴ ; Salemi S¹ ; Hookari S^{1, 3} ; Bajoghli H⁵ ; Rahami B¹ Show Affiliations
Source: PLoS ONE Published:2025

Abstract

Background Suicide is recognized as a major problem worldwide and is particularly prevalent among specific groups, including individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). The present study aimed to investigate alcohol consumption as a risk factor for suicidal ideation and attempts among those with substance use disorders (SUDs) in western Iran. Methods This is a cross-sectional study, involving 1,112 individuals with SUDs who sought treatment at Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran, between the years 2019 and 2021. These participants were included in the study through a convenient sampling method as part of an interview-based assessment study. Results The participant’s average age was 37.97 years, and 982 were male (94.7%). Overall, 285 (27.5%) individuals had a history of suicide attempts, 316 (30.5%) individuals reported suicidal ideation, and 463 (41.6%) were alcohol users. In individuals who consumed alcohol, the prevalence of suicidal ideation (172 (37.2%) individuals), and a history of suicide attempts (156 (33.8%) individuals) was significantly higher compared to non-alcohol users. There was a statistically significant relationship between alcohol consumption and a history of suicide attempts (p < 0.05). The probability of suicide attempted in people with a history of alcohol consumption was 1.5 times, and in patients with a history of simultaneous substance use, it was 1.4 times that of other patients (all Ps < 0.05). Conclusion Our study results revealed that alcohol consumption among individuals with SUDs is associated with increased rates of suicidal ideation, attempts, and death. Therefore, clinicians should consider it as a separate suicide risk factor. This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.