44: Alcohol Use Disorder as a Moderator Between Failed Drinking Reduction and Suicidal Ideation

Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center 

Recent research indicates that difficulty reducing alcohol consumption may serve as a risk marker for suicidal ideation, but whether this relationship differs based on alcohol use disorder (AUD) status remains unclear. Using data from the 2021-2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), we examined whether meeting the criteria for AUD moderated the association between past-year inability to reduce drinking and past-year suicidal ideation. The sample included 22,872 adults aged 18+ with past-year alcohol use. Logistic regression models tested the interaction between inability to reduce in the past year and AUD status, adjusting for age, sex, and race/ethnicity. AUD status significantly moderated this association (interaction OR=2.77, 95% CI[1.11,6.93], p=.03). Among individuals with AUD, inability to reduce drinking was associated with elevated suicidal ideation (OR=1.59, p<.001), whereas no significant association was observed among those without AUD (OR=0.62, p=.298). Results demonstrate that inability to reduce drinking may serve as a suicide risk marker specifically among individuals with AUD, with potential implications for targeted screening and intervention efforts.

Survey-weighted Logistic Regression

Suicidal Ideation

Alcohol Use Disorder

Behavior Change 

Mental Health Statistics Section