A group of 158 male in-patients treated for alcohol dependence, drug dependence and pathological gambling 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 some respondents did not consider delirium tremens as life threatening. Most of these life threatening events took place before their addictive disease was diagnosed. The majority of life threatening events in alcohol dependent respondents were related to traffic and the majority of life threatening events in drug dependent respondents were related to intoxication. Pathological gamblers reported most frequently suicidal attempts. Life threatening events increased the motivation to cope 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. Life threatening events related to alcohol, drugs or gambling should be an important topic of psychotherapy because of their motivation enhancing, but possibly also traumatic effects. Prevention of life threatening events related to alcohol, drugs or gambling is the responsibility of specialized services and other health workers, experts in other fields and even decision makers.

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