Russian alcoholism

[decadence]

Drug and alcohol abuse is soaring in post-Soviet Russian Federation
Koshkina, E. / Institute of Economic Forecasting, Russian Federation , 2003
[The full text of this paper is in Russian language only] In Russia there are very few studies dedicated to health economics. Despite this the acuteness of the health problem in Russia is obvious. The current demographic situation in the country is characterised by a serious fall in fertility rates and constant growth of mortality. Alcoholism and drug abuse feature among the most frequent causes of premature deaths among the adult population.

This article describes the situation of alcohol usage and drugs intake in Russia by using original data from narcological treatment centers and national opinion polls. It aims to draw a general picture and stress the need to find adequate solutions to the existing problems. Otherwise, it argues, the country will face a more severe demographic crisis and bigger population loss.

The study found that:

daily alcohol intake per men in Russia increased by four times between 1991 and 2000
sicknesses related to alcoholism and alcohol psychosis from 1991 to 2000 grew by almost 50 percent
alcohol addiction cases among women reached 443 per 100 thousand in 2000 from less than 400 cases in 1991
alcohol intake by teenagers increased by 1.5 percent over the past few years
Until recently the reduction of capable working population was attributed to the excessive consumption of hard spirits and alcohol related diseases. The study claims that this is not a complete picture. Drug addiction is now another factor that causes death and deterioration of the nation’s health.

The study identified that the amount of drug addicts in Russia grew almost 9 times over the past 10 years and now equals 185.8 cases per 100 thousand men.

At the same time, the structure of the drug usage in Russia reveals preferences for stronger substances: 90 percent of cases belong to the opium related drugs, 4.3 percent to cannabis and marihuana and almost 3 percent to other synthetic stimulants.

The articles stresses the need to find adequate solutions to the problems of alcoholism and drug addiction of the Russian population, and find effective preventive mechanisms for teenagers. It calls for complex and comprehensive solutions. However, it does not provide any specific recommendations as to how to combat these problems, especially when there is a lack of motivation for the treatment among the addicts themselves.

www.eldis.org/static/DOC9364.htm

[decadence]

Genetic Variation Linked To Alcohol Dependence Found In A Russian Population

New Haven, Conn.--The same gene that accounts for part of a genetic risk for developing alcoholism in a U.S. population is found in a Russian population, according to a published study by a Yale School of Medicine researcher.



"These findings help demonstrate that regardless what different environmental factors in Russia may be at play, the genetic variations still seem to be influencing risk in that population," said Jaako Lappalainen, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry in the Center for the Translational Neuroscience of Alcoholism at Yale, and first author of the study.

The variations are in a subtype of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) receptor, which is the most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Two large genetic studies in the U.S. last year identified an association between genetic variations in the GABRA2 receptor subtype and risk for alcohol dependence, Lappalainen said.

"There are braking neurotransmitters and accelerating neurotransmitters," he said. "GABA is one of the braking neurotransmitters. It puts the brakes on neurons so that they don't get out of control. Activating the function of GABA receptors usually decreases activity in brain neurons and can decrease activity of the entire brain and body, as occurs in general anesthesia. Some of alcohol's effects appear to be mediated through GABRA2."

This gene is often found in persons who do not become alcoholic, but its presence causes a small increase in risk that appears to be consistent across U.S. and Russian populations, Lappalainen said. It is not known how the mechanism increases the risk.

For this study, researchers recruited and drew blood samples from 113 Russian alcohol-dependent men at a St. Petersburg treatment center and100 local military personnel as controls. Each sample was genotyped for seven GABRA2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are variations between individuals in the genetic code. Lappalainen and his colleagues found significant associations between two SNPs and alcohol dependence. The structure and frequencies of the variations were similar in both U.S. and Russian populations.

Lappalainen stressed that other genes have been implicated in alcoholism and that the risk of alcohol dependence is also dependent on environment and behavior.


www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/06/050602114328.htm

[Planet Asia]

edited

[ikilledjesus]

The wonders of american capitalism, www.pww.org/article/articleview/8276/1/299

[blueskygod]

The Russians also influenced the other subject peoples in the Soviet Union! Just look at the Kazaks these days! Tisk Tisk

[ikilledjesus]

blueskygod said:

The Russians also influenced the other subject peoples in the Soviet Union! Just look at the Kazaks these days! Tisk Tisk

huh

[blueskygod]

Change your screen name. It offends my religion.

[ikilledjesus]

blueskygod said:

Change your screen name. It offends my religion.

Stop being a homo, it offends my morals.

[wendland]

All Northern-North Eastern European types seem to have a penchant for alcoholism, and culturally a love, or love/hate relationship with alcohol, also a tendency to equate alcohol with fun, relaxation, escape from a dull reality, being "cool". Observe typically "partying behavior" of British, Irish, Germans, Poles, Scandinavians, Russians... and by extension North Americans. The genetic component may add an interesting aspect.
An anecdote: At an international gathering of scientists in Moscow some years back, a visitor (I don't know from where) wanted to make a toast with wine. The Russians present laughed and said that it would have to be vodka, that anything less was for whimps. That exemplifies the attitude towards fun, entertainment, toasts right there. It's a culture of "the stronger the drink the better." It's more or less the same for Americans, what with the outrageous chuggalugging of massive margarita troughs on vacation... The idea of moderation seems foreign, and "square".

[dukeofpain]

decadence said:

Drug and alcohol abuse is soaring in post-Soviet Russian Federation

Interesting news story:

english.pravda.ru/main/18/90/360/11931_alcoholism.html

01/31/2004 13:08
Scientists claim that almost half of the Russian population inherited Mongol genes

In search of a revolutionary drug to cure alcoholism and hang-over, scientists were able to establish direct genetic correlation between traditional weakness of the Russians for the alcoholic beverages and the invasion of the Tatar hordes of Chingiz khan on the Russian territory, writes one of the journalists of The Times Jeremy Page.

Scientists claim that almost half of the Russian population inherited Mongol genes consequently causing more alcohol to be absorbed by blood. Russians also require more time to fully digest alcohol than Europeans for instance. This means that Russians drink more heavily, suffer from severe hang-over and are overall more susceptible to become alcohol dependent, especially taking into account Russian love for vodka, tough climate and social-economic chaos in the country since the collapse of the USSR.

"The difference is tremendous-it can be noticed from one's reactions, shaking hands, and so on," stated Vladimir Nuzhny from the National Narcological Research Center of the Ministry of Health. "On average, 50% of people in Moscow possess such Mongol gene. We assume that this particular gene is to blame," said Nuzhny.

In the course of the research, scientists paid 12 students-volunteers to consume 350 grams of vodka in an hour. Their behavior was closely monitored.

"Based on the Western standards, 350 grams of vodka is a lot. In Russia however this is a norm," informed doctor Nuzhny The Times. "At first, the students thought everything was fine: they were getting paid for drinking! Afterwards, however, they realized they had been mistaken."

While being intoxicated, each one of the students had to complete certain tests. They included answering questions, driving in video games. They were also asked to blow in special tubes in order to measure their level of alcohol. Scientists even paid close attention at how fast the students were standing up from their seats.

After some rest, the students were given breakfast and had to undergo another set of tests in order to measure their hang-over. It turned out that those students with Mongol genes absorbed 50% more alcohol and digested it significantly slower than the rest of the students.

"They tend to experience a different sensation while being intoxicated. They are more susceptible to aggressions or depressions," remarked Nuzhny. "They do not necessarily resemble Mongol facial features. However, they do have this Mongol gene."

Mongols traveled through Asia and Russia and afterwards invaded Europe in XII century. They ruled Russia for nearly 300 years. Interracial marriages were quite common between Mongols and people of other nations.

Scientists already knew that people of Mongol descent including Chinese, Koreans and Japanese, possessed a ferment responsible for alcohol digestion which was not is not as strong as in Europeans.

Doctor Nuzhny claims that he conducts the first research of alcohol effects specifically on Russians with Mongol genes. According to him, such phenomenon can be explained by evolution. Mongolian nomads, who knew alcohol only in the form of fermented horse milk, acquired an additional ferment in the course of evolution. Their genetic make up differed from Europeans, who used to consume rather strong alcoholic beverages made of grapes and wheat.

The research indicates that Russians consume 15 liters of pure alcohol per person annually. This is one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption in the world. According to the research, every seventh Russian suffers from alcoholism. Alcohol is often regarded as being responsible for a relatively short lifespan (59).

[murphee]

Also dark, cold climates are conducive to alcoholism. Many people use alcohol to medicate for depression. If I am not mistaken, Alaska also has a high rate of alcoholism.

[Siafu X]

lol i agree with Murphee IF u live in a DARK COLD BORING country alcohol or drug is the only way 2 get rid of the depression you are probably feeling right NOW! so 2 my Dodonites living in these mentioned areas DRINK UP and be merry i kno i am Pe@Ce

[harri]

From what I've observed, Russians tend to gamble a lot as well. Asians, on the other hand can't handle too much alcohol, right? How much tendency for gambling do East Asians have?

[Ilmatar]

Interesting articles. Finland is notably a cold and dark country for too many months in year, and we do have our own problems with alcohol. But what is happening in Russia is simply terrifying. I almost hope there's a genetic factor - not necessarely a Mongoloid one, alcohol tolerance might be something Neolithic Farmers spread, since most World populations lack it - since it would be easier to cure than any other cause.

[wendland]

So, with the Russians you combine the Northern Peoples' penchant for alcohol with this gene that makes alcohol digestion more difficult. Also, the whole cultural/national malaise (if that's the right term for it) they're going thru... and you have it, a society where alcoholism is actually shortening the lifespan, probably adding to the fact that the population is shrinking. A country in malaise. And , to think, Khrushchov was going to "burry" the decadent West. Though, the West, i.e the Northern part has its alcohol problems, too. There is also a gene involved in alcoholism, I wonder if any study has been done to see how it is distributed in various nationalities.