Journal of Addiction & Prevention
Review Article
Alcohol and Alcoholism in Russia: An Update
Jargin SV*
Department of Pathology, People’s Friendship University of Russia, Russian Federation
*Address for Correspondence: Jargin SV, Department of Pathology, People’s Friendship University of Russia, Clementovski per 6-82, 115184 Moscow, Russia, Email: sjargin@mail.ru
Submission:08 April, 2024
Accepted:05 May, 2024
Published:08 May, 2024
Copyright: © 2024 Jargin SV. This is an open access article distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original work is properly cited.
Keywords: Alcohol; Alcoholism; Toxicity; Cardiovascular; Mortality; Russia
Abstract
The problem of excessive alcohol consumption in Russia is
well known; but there is a tendency to exaggerate it. In this way,
responsibility for enhanced mortality is shifted onto the people, that
is, self-inflicted diseases caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
The overestimation of the cause-effect relationship between alcohol
consumption and cardiovascular disease has been used for the same
purpose. The quality of alcoholic beverages is uneven. Instances of
mass poisoning are discussed here. The concept of unrecorded alcohol
is not directly applicable to Russia without a comment that ethanol
from non-edible sources, diverted from the industry or imported, has
been used for production of beverages sold through legally operating
shops and eateries. Furthermore, heavy binge drinking has contributed
to mortality. Fortunately, this hazardous pattern of alcohol consumption
has been declining since the last two decades. Vodka and fortified
wine have been partly replaced by a moderate consumption of beer.
Efficiency of public policies in the discussed area has been limited. In a
separate section, invasive and medicinal treatments without sufficient
clinical indications are discussed. The attitude to persons supposed to
have an alcohol use disorder is less responsible with lower procedural
quality assurance than for other patients. Some ethical and legal
aspects of compulsory treatments are briefly delineated. Considering
shortcomings of medical practice, research and education, the
directives and increase in funding are unlikely to be sufficient for a
solution of existing problems. Measures should include participation of
authorized foreign advisors.