Alcoholism and drug addiction: regional analysis

The spread of alcoholism and drug addiction in Russia is the most important social disease of our time. According to many experts, alcoholism and drug addiction undermine the socio-economic development of the country, slow down economic growth and scientific progress, and reduce the level of human potential and the quality of life of the population. This article presents the results of a study aimed at identifying the causes of alcoholism and drug addiction in Russia, as well as assessing its consequences. The article reflects the current data reflecting the current situation in Russia on this issue, presents data from international and national statistics, highlights the regions with the best and worst values of the prevalence of alcoholism and drug addiction. An attempt has been made to explain the discrepancy between the official statistics and the real world picture. A correlation study was carried out with 10 indicators reflecting various aspects of human potential and the quality of life of the population for 11 years in all regions of the country. The results of the study allowed us to draw conclusions about the extremely negative impact of alcoholism and drug addiction on life expectancy, infant mortality, the number of homicides and attempted murders, unemployment and poverty. Among the reasons for the spread of alcoholism and drug addiction, such indicators as unemployment and poverty, increased anxiety and fears among the population were identified. Based on the study of the psychological causes of alcoholism and drug addiction, a method is proposed to overcome this problem through the development of the cultural potential of the population and changing the nature of news information broadcast through television and print media. The results presented in this article can be useful for the formation of programs to combat alcoholism and drug addiction, as well as in the formation of regional development strategies in Russia.