The key facts

  • Narcologist Alexey Kazantsev warned that quitting alcohol, especially abruptly, can turn into another addiction.
  • As replacements, he named shopping, gambling, video games, overeating, working without rest, and excessive exercise.
  • Warning signs: the new activity is the only source of pleasure, inability to reduce time spent on it, hidden expenses, irritation, and excuses.

Quitting alcohol may lead to a new addiction

Quitting alcohol, especially abruptly, can lead to another addiction — this warning came from narcologist Alexey Kazantsev in an interview with Life.ru, as retold by Gazeta.Ru. According to him, alcohol is often replaced by a 'socially acceptable' alternative: uncontrolled shopping, gambling, hours-long video gaming, overeating, working without rest, or excessive exercise.

How to recognize the problem

'You should be alert if, after quitting alcohol, the new activity becomes the only source of pleasure,' Kazantsev said. According to him, an addiction has most likely developed if a person cannot reduce the time spent on the new 'hobby,' starts hiding expenses, getting angry, or making excuses. In such a situation, the specialist noted, psychotherapy and support from loved ones can help.

Context: data on alcohol consumption

The same article cites data from earlier publications. A study by scientists at University College London (UCL) showed an increase in alcohol abuse among zoomers in early adulthood: almost 68% of 23-year-old respondents reported drinking alcohol 'in binge format' — six or more drinks at a time — at least once in the past year, and 29% do so at least once a month. The share of zoomers who have tried light drugs at least once rose to 49%, while those who have tried harder drugs more than tripled, from 10% to 32%. Meanwhile, according to the publication, Russian youth, on the contrary, have started drinking less alcohol.