[Suicide-related phenomena and mental health status in alcoholics: a survey of Danshu-kai].

Alcohol abuse is a well-known risk factor for suicide, as alcohol-related problems can deteriorate the medical and psychosocial conditions of individuals. Furthermore, the pharmacological effect of alcohol can cause impulsive behavior. However, few studies have investigated the association of alcohol-related problems with suicide or suicide-related mental health problems in a Japanese population. This study aimed to investigate suicidal behavior and factors influencing the mental health of people with alcohol-related problems. We conducted a self-reporting survey of members of alcohol abstinence self-help groups in Japan, "Danshu-kai". Of those members who attended meetings held during April and June 2009, 4,616 (rate of consent, 85.1%; 4064 males, 518 females, and 34 undetermined; mean age +/- SD, 60.2 +/- 10.9 years) participated in our study. The questionnaire sought the following information: gender, age, living with someone, marriage, jobs, present family relationships, health condition, history of attending the Danshu-kai meeting, family histories of alcohol-related problems, duration of abstinence, and history of suicide-related phenomena. A total of 44.2% of the subjects reported they had experienced suicidal thoughts, 24.6% had planned suicide, with 21.6% having attempted suicide. Seventy parcent of these phenomena occurred before participation in Danshu-kai. We also collected Kessler 10 (K10) scores, the self reporting scale for screening depressive and anxiety disorders. We classified subjects into two groups, those with a poor or favorable mental health according to the total K10 score cutoff, and analyzed factors predicting the present mental health condition. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that age, physical health, and parental histories of alcohol-related problems were significantly associated with the present mental health condition in both genders. However, jobs, present family relationships, history of attending the Danshu-kai meeting, and duration of abstinence were also significantly associated, but only in males. In conclusion, it is important to cooperate with self help groups such as Danshu-kai to highlight the association between alcohol-related problems and suicide. Furthermore, early intervention for individuals with alcohol-related problems before there is progression of any medical and/or psychosocial damage may prevent future suicides among alcoholics.