Gambling Problems and Attempted Suicide: Part II—Alcohol Abuse Increases Suicide Risk

Alcohol misuse is commonly associated with problem gambling and suicide attempts. This study included seventy patients admitted to an Auckland (New Zealand) hospital immediately following a suicide attempt. The first paper in the study identified 12 (17.1%) patients from the sample as being positive on the Eight Gambling Screen. Of these individuals, 75% were also positive on the CAGE alcohol screen. Problem gambling patients who had attempted suicide were also more likely to be Maori (indigenous New Zealanders). The severity of the suicide attempt between patients screened as problem gamblers and those who were not did not differ.