Alcohol and Alcoholism in Russia: Insider’s Observations and Review of Literature

The problem of heavy drinking in Russia is well known; but a tendency to exaggerate it in some literature has come to the fore recently. The exaggeration tends to veil shortcomings of the health care, with responsibility for the low life expectancy especially in men (about 20 years difference compared to some more developed countries [1]) shifted onto the patients, that is, supposedly selfinflicted diseases due to the excessive alcohol drinking. During the anti-alcohol campaign (1985-1988), a massive consumption of nonbeverage alcohol was observed: perfumery and technical liquids such as window-cleaner.