Alcohol-Free Week

      The problem of alcohol abuse goes far beyond a social issue, turning into a grave threat to public health. More than two hundred diseases are directly linked to excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, with alcohol’s contribution to the development of these diseases ranging from minor (5%) to catastrophically high (75%). This means that alcohol not only exacerbates existing health problems but is also the primary cause of many severe pathologies, significantly reducing both life expectancy and quality of life.

      To gain a more detailed understanding of the scale of this problem, we turned to the deputy chief physician of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Narcological Dispensary, Alexey Favorsky. His expert opinion sheds light on the mechanisms of alcohol dependence formation and the possibilities for its treatment.

      - There is a common belief that only strong alcoholic drinks are dangerous, while low-alcohol beverages are relatively harmless. Is that so?

      - That is a deep misconception. The key risk factor is the amount of pure ethyl alcohol entering the body, not the strength of the drink. A bottle of vodka contains roughly the same amount of pure ethanol as six to seven liters of beer. Therefore, regular consumption of large quantities of beer or wine is just as dangerous as abusing vodka or other strong alcoholic drinks. The only difference is the speed at which a critical blood ethanol concentration is reached. In the end, alcohol dependence forms regardless of the type of alcohol consumed.

      - What exactly makes alcohol so dangerous?

      - Its harmful effect on the body is multifaceted. Ethanol is a powerful toxin that damages virtually all bodily systems. It destroys liver cells, causing cirrhosis and other severe diseases. The pancreas also suffers greatly, with pancreatitis developing, which can be fatal. The cardiovascular system is under constant threat: alcohol raises blood pressure and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The kidneys are exposed to toxic effects, which can lead to renal failure. Alcohol destroys the brain, causing dementia, memory and coordination disorders, and psychiatric disorders. One should not forget the effect of alcohol on the nervous system — it destroys neurons, leading to depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental illnesses.

      - But alcohol’s impact is not limited to internal organs. How does it threaten the safety of others?

      - Drinking leads to impaired coordination and reduced control over one’s behavior. This significantly increases the likelihood of traffic accidents, domestic injuries, and various accidents, whose victims are often people who did not even consume alcohol. In addition, alcohol is one of the main factors contributing to increased crime, both among drinkers themselves and among those who suffer from their actions. These are socio-economic consequences that require substantial resources to combat. The destructive power of alcohol extends to all spheres of life — from individual health to the state of the economy and social stability.

      - What can you say in conclusion?

      Alcoholism is a serious disease that requires comprehensive treatment. It is not simply a bad habit that one can quit at will. Overcoming alcohol dependence requires professional help: addiction specialists, psychologists, psychotherapists. There are effective treatment methods that make it possible to rid oneself of dependence and restore health, but this requires persistent work both from the person with the addiction and from qualified professionals ready to provide support and accompaniment on this difficult path to recovery. The key to success is recognition of the problem and the decision to change one’s life, but achieving this without professional help is extremely difficult. Prevention of alcohol abuse, education, and the formation of a responsible attitude toward one’s health are key factors in combating this dangerous phenomenon, requiring public efforts and state support.

      State Healthcare Institution of the Nizhny Novgorod Region "NOCOSMP"

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      Photo: pixabay.com

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      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

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