Which of the following statements best describes the proportion of people who use alcohol just before committing suicide?

• A. About one-third of people who commit suicide consume alcohol shortly before the act.
• B. Less than 5% of people who commit suicide have used alcohol just before the act.
• C. Nearly all people who commit suicide use alcohol immediately before the act.
• D. Alcohol use before suicide is extremely rare and occurs in less than 1% of cases.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the question is asking about the proportion of people who consume alcohol shortly before committing suicide.
2. Recall or review relevant psychological research or epidemiological data on alcohol use and suicide, focusing on statistics about alcohol consumption immediately prior to suicide attempts.
3. Evaluate each statement by comparing it to the known data: less than 5%, nearly all, extremely rare (less than 1%), or about one-third.
4. Recognize that research indicates a significant minority, approximately one-third, of individuals who commit suicide have consumed alcohol shortly before the act, which is a notable but not overwhelming proportion.
5. Conclude that the statement 'About one-third of people who commit suicide consume alcohol shortly before the act' best reflects the empirical evidence on this topic.