During this year's conference of the American Association of Suicidology, research from two new studies linking suicide with alcoholism was released. The studies, "Risk Factors for Suicide and Medically Serious Suicide Attempts Among Alcoholics" and "Moderators of the Relationship Between Alcohol Dependence and Suicide and Medically Serious Suicide Attempts," found a need for suicide-risk recognition and prevention efforts targeted at middle-aged and older Americans.

Researchers said that increased age could serve as a marker for more chronic, treatment-refractory alcoholism, which is associated with greater risk for suicide.

Alcoholics who complete suicide are older and more likely to be male, have a mood disorder, relationship difficulties, and other interpersonal life events than control subjects, researchers said.

The researchers recommended enhanced suicide-prevention efforts for alcoholics that include a focus on depression and interpersonal factors, such as partner-relationship difficulties.

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