Selected Aspects of Alcohol Consumption and Treatment of Alcoholics in Russia

Jargin SV

Published on: 2024-03-18

Abstract

The problem of excessive alcohol consumption in Russia is well known; but there is a tendency to exaggerate it, aimed at disguising shortcomings of the healthcare, with responsibility for the relatively short life expectancy shifted onto patients, that is, self-inflicted diseases caused by alcohol. The cause-effect relationship between alcohol and cardiovascular diseases has been exaggerated with the same purpose. During the anti-alcohol campaign (1985-1989), a mass consumption of non-beverage alcohol, perfumery and technical fluids was observed. The drinking of surrogates decreased abruptly after the campaign, when vodka and beer have become easily available and relatively cheap. Following the abolition of the state alcohol monopoly in 1992, the country was flooded by alcoholic beverages of poor quality. The incidence of fatal poisonings with legally sold alcoholic beverages increased considerably in the 1990s; another upsurge was in 2006. This has been veiled by some writers creating impression that consumers deliberately bought surrogates. Furthermore, invasive procedures (surgeries, endoscopic and endovascular manipulations, biopsies) with questionable indications applied to alcoholics are overviewed here. Some of the treatments were compulsory. Among others, viral hepatitis in consequence of repeated drip infusions has been a known complication. After all, the conclusion is cautiously optimistic: the heavy binge drinking and overall alcohol consumption are declining in Russia. However, there is still a need to prevent offences against people with alcoholism and alcohol-related dementia, aimed at appropriation of their residences, other properly, to improve the healthcare and public assistance.