Among those tested for blood alcohol, 36% of male and 28% of female suicide decedents were BAC+ (i.e., BAC > 0.0 g/dl). Table 2 shows the prevalence of alcohol use prior to suicide among NVDRS decedents and prior to the interview among NESARC respondents by gender and age. Male and female suicide decedents younger than age 60 years were more likely to drink than their living counterparts. As expected, among nonelderly decedents, men were significantly more likely to be BAC+ than were women. In addition, Table 2 shows that although deceased men were more likely than women to have consumed alcohol prior to death, the rate ratios of men to women were significantly lower in the mortality sample relative to the living sample.
