In Russia, alcoholism and mental disorders reached record levels amid the war - intelligence
Kyiv • UNN
The number of alcoholism diagnoses increased by 30%, and mental disorders reached a 14-year high. The demand for antidepressants in the country doubled.
In 2025, Russia recorded its worst alcoholism and mental disorder rates in almost a decade – with no signs of the trend changing. This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service, writes UNN.
The number of Russians newly diagnosed with alcoholism or alcoholic psychosis reached 56.9 people per 100,000 population – the highest since 2016. The year-on-year increase is 30%, which is the sharpest jump on record. For comparison: from 2011 to 2020, the indicator fell threefold – from 107.8 to 40 people per 100,000. The 2021 surge of 15% was then explained by the post-COVID effect. Current figures have no such justification.
The diagnosis spread to 69 regions. In Omsk Oblast, the incidence increased fivefold, in Astrakhan Oblast – fourfold. Perm Krai increased the indicator by 3.5 times – to 288 people per 100,000, which is a regional record and the second-highest result in the country. The undisputed leader is the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug: 391.4 diagnosed per 100,000, which is a 10-year high. Chukotka also leads the ranking in mortality from alcohol, drugs, and suicides.
At the same time, Russians switched to cheaper alcohol. Vodka sales in March increased by 4.95%: against the backdrop of rising prices for whiskey, brandy, and cognac, vodka became an affordable alternative. Russians introduced a savings regime last year, cutting spending on food, medicine, and clothing. 82% of citizens expect that prices for food and utilities will grow faster than incomes.
The picture of mental health is no better. In 2025, mental disorders were first diagnosed in 328 people per 100,000 – a 14-year record. The indicator began to grow from 2018, dropped during the pandemic, but after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it recovered and reached its maximum by 2025. For the first time in the history of observations, Moscow entered the top 15 regions in terms of incidence, taking 12th place: 451.6 new diagnoses per 100,000 – almost twice the national average. Karelia leads – over 700 cases per 100,000, followed by Arkhangelsk Oblast and Altai Krai – over 600.
The antidepressant market is reacting accordingly. In 2022, Russians purchased 13.8 million packages for 8.9 billion rubles. In 2025 – already 23.6 million packages for almost 29 billion rubles. Demand doubled, expenses tripled.
Separately, a surge in psychoactive substance dependence is recorded. In Dagestan, the incidence increased fivefold, in Murmansk Oblast – threefold, in the Altai Republic – twofold. Murmansk Oblast took first place: 28 new patients per 100,000 – almost four times the Russian average. Officially, over 400,000 people are registered with narcological services, but the real figure, according to experts, is many times higher.