Study: Ukraine faces alcoholism

According to the level of alcohol consumption, Ukrainians occupy strong leading positions. More drink only in Russia, Moldova, Scotland, Hungary. Every year in Ukraine, there are 500 thousand less people, and about 400 thousand die from cardiovascular diseases, which mainly develop because of unhealthy lifestyles (lack of mobility, smoking, alcohol). But alcohol is the universal killer: it affects all systems and organs of the human body. And the change in the body occurs with the use of any number of alcoholic beverages, but the scale of the consequences and changes depends on the frequency of consumption and the amount of alcohol.

A WHO study showed that 20% of the inhabitants of our country consume alcohol svehnormy (the norm is the consumption of not more than two liters of pure alcohol per year, while per liter of Ukrainians per year accounts for 15 liters of pure alcohol). 80% of fans of drinking is a man, and this is more than one-third of the adult male population of the country. Excessive consumption of alcohol begins at an early age and only increases with time. The most drinking age is people from 18 to 29 years old. Most Ukrainian children are already familiar with the taste and effect of alcohol from 13 (sometimes and earlier) years.

A European survey of students showed that almost 90% of Ukrainian schoolchildren in the age of 15-17 had already tried alcohol. More than 26% regularly consume alcoholic beverages (1-2 times a month), about 14% drink twice as often.

Ukrainian children join the alcohol very early, the main reason for this is our "tradition of cultural use," which is passed on from generation to generation. Any Ukrainian holidays are accompanied by a feast and alcohol, the child subconsciously developed that without alcohol a holiday is impossible. In addition, the advertising idea of the indispensable use of alcohol in a friendly gay company is gradually being debugged in the teenager's unformed consciousness. In our country, the highest level of teenage alcoholism, which we contribute, unconsciously accustoming to alcohol their children.

Average life expectancy among drinkers is reduced by 10-15 years, alcohol and smoking are the two main causes of chronic diseases and high mortality in our country. Statistics sound awesome - one in four Ukrainians do not live to 60 years, every tenth - to 35. Almost a third of deaths of men at a young age (under 30 years) is due to alcoholic intoxication.

Especially dangerous is alcohol for a woman, because alcohol affects the mental and physical health of the baby's future. Regular drinking mothers in 74% show abnormalities in the development of the child, mothers drink moderately - 9%.

Alcohol provokes a large number of heart diseases, digestive organs, liver. The effect of alcohol on the nervous system is disastrous and leads to severe mental disorders, of 100 mentally ill in 40 cases, mental disorder is caused by alcohol. Only in 2011, almost 500 thousand Ukrainians were treated for various psychiatric disorders, provoked by alcohol.

In a state of intoxication, about 90% of hooligan and domestic attacks are committed. Alcohol disconnects conscience, a sense of fear, responsibility, has a strong influence on the brain, as a result, many suicides are committed (especially in adolescence). And how many accidents happen due to the fault of drunk drivers or dying from alcohol poisoning do not have to talk.

Now, according to statistics, there are more than a million alcohol-dependent citizens in Ukraine. WHO offers only three recommendations, thanks to which it is possible to reduce alcohol dependence: raise prices for alcoholic beverages, issue fewer licenses for the sale of alcohol and prohibit advertising that promotes drinking. The Ukrainian parliament, despite the fact that sometimes bills are submitted that comply with the recommendations of the WHO, is in no hurry to vote for them, probably for personal reasons.

[1], [2], [3], [4]