New York, Dec 23 (IANS): Alcohol use increases suicide risk among women, especially those who have symptoms of insomnia such as sleep disturbance and daytime tiredness, shows research.

"These results are important as they help demonstrate that alcohol use is associated with an increase in suicide risk, and that this increase may be partially due to insomnia symptoms," said principal investigator Michael Nadorff, assistant professor at Mississippi State University.

The study suggests that the targeted assessment and treatment of specific sleep problems may reduce the risk of suicide among those who consume alcohol.

"By better understanding this relationship, and the mechanisms associated with increased risk, we can better design interventions to reduce suicide risk," Nadorff added.

The study involved 375 undergraduate students at an university in the US.

The participants completed an online questionnaire that examined insomnia symptoms, nightmares, alcohol use and suicide risk.

The study appeared in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.