Citation

Nemtsov A. Addiction 2008; 103(10): 1754-1755.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02321.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Alcohol abuse affects individuals in many ways, ranging from their relationship with their family, their financial, social and occupational status and, of course, their physical health. Heavy drinking causes more problems. The consequences of drinking interact with each other which have a negative impact on life, raising the risk of early and premature mortality. Such mortality is defined typically as alcohol-related, yet it results from a complicated entity of multiple factors. Recent research in the city of Izhevsk has highlighted the significant role of alcohol abuse in mortality in men aged 25–54 years in Russia. However, the relationship between alcohol abuse and alcohol-related mortality in Russia is complex and requires further discussion.

One important recent finding is the identification of non-beverage alcohols (perfumes, eau-de-colognes, tinctures, solvents, abrasives) as a potentially major contributor to mortality. Abuse of these alcohols is widespread in Russia; although often discussed in the mass media this is, however, the first time it has been registered as a scientific fact related to mortality.