Alcohol, Drugs, Gamblingand Life Threatening Events

Overview

A group of 158 male in-patients treated for alcohol dependence, drug dependence and pathologicalgambling were questioned about life threatening events related to alcohol, drugs or gambling.57.6 % of them reported at least one life threatening event related to alcohol, drugs or gambling.The mean number of life threatening events was 1.4 (SD=1,8) for the whole group, even if somerespondents did not consider delirium tremens as life threatening. Most of these life threateningevents took place before their addictive disease was diagnosed. The majority of life threateningevents in alcohol dependent respondents were related to traffic and the majority of life threateningevents in drug dependent respondents were related to intoxication. Pathological gamblersreported most frequently suicidal attempts. Life threatening events increased the motivation tocope with addictive problems. This effect did not correlate with near-death experiences.These data show how important prevention and early intervention are in addictive diseases. Lifethreatening events related to alcohol, drugs or gambling should be an important topic of psychotherapybecause of their motivation enhancing, but possibly also traumatic effects. Prevention oflife threatening events related to alcohol, drugs or gambling is the responsibility of specializedservices and other health workers, experts in other fields and even decision makers.

Key words:
alcohol, drugs, gambling, traffic accidents, intoxication, suicidal attempts.