ALCOHOL TREATMENT SERVICES IN RUSSIA - A WORSENING CRISIS

This paper reviews the state of alcohol treatment services in Russia. There have been some recent improvements, for example the introduction of confidentiality in treatment, the closure of correctional centres, and the payment of state benefits to in-patients. However, there rema ins a considerable stigma attached to a diagnosis of alcoholism. Altho ugh new approaches to treatment have been promulgated, in practice Rus sian treatment methods remain idiosyncratic with little in the way of psychotherapy. Many techniques utilise placebos and persuasion, with t he patient as a passive recipient. Services are generally of a poor qu ality, and underfunded and medical specialists are poorly trained. To improve matters it is suggested that there will need to be: (1) change s in knowledge and attitude among the general population and within th e specialist services; and (2) a continuing exchange of ideas and spec ialists between Russia and the West.