Moderate drinkers the least suicidal: Japanese study

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2006

TOKYO (AFP) — Teetotalers and heavy drinkers face a greater risk of suicide than moderate drinkers, according to a Japanese study.

Heavy drinkers and men who never have a drop both commit suicide at 2.3 times the rate of those who enjoy only a few drinks a month, said the study released by the health ministry.

Heavy drinkers were classified as men who knocked back the equivalent of six glasses of wine or three double-shots of whisky a day more than once a week.

However, the researchers cautioned that drinking more moderately would not necessarily decrease the risk of suicide as other factors such as stress were also important.

Also, some teetotalers are recovered alcoholics.

"Those who quit drinking may have done so for reasons such as severe...