Regional analyses of alcohol and suicide in Norway: some empirical considerations.

The association between alcohol consumption and suicide was analyzed on aggregate-level data from Norway, applying regional units in the analyses. Thereby two purposes could be served: to validate previous estimates derived from time series analyses, and to assess an empirical indication of alcohol and suicide as alternative solutions. The effect of alcohol consumption on suicide rates tended to be higher for women than for men, which is contrary to results from time series analyses and what might generally be expected. The results are discussed with reference to causal mechanisms and alcohol and suicide as alternative choices of action, and methodological considerations are outlined.