Alcoholism in Finland

By Simon Kaklugin and Johanna Lehtinen

Leading killer in Finland, above heart disease and cancer.

(responsible for 17% of all deaths among men of 15-65 years old)

(responsible for death of 10.5% of adult women, along side breast cancer)

Reasons The Finnish are said to be typically quiet and

shy people. Alko, state owned and only store in finland

which retails alcohol (finland’s alcohol monopoly), established in 1937

2004, 40% slash of alcohol tax to prevent cheap private import from neighboring countries.

6 months after tax cut, there was a 10% increase in binge drinking in 17 year olds.

14% increase in alcohol consumption since tax cut. 2006, 1 in 4 people involved in a car accident were found

to be drunk.

2005 - # non drinkers, men = 22%, women = 47%. 2007- # non drinkers, men = 11%, women = 14%. 1 in 3 15-16 year olds admit to being drunk within the

last month. 4% of population (150,000) are alcoholics.

Complications

Cost to treat alcohol related illnesses has increased 14% since 2003.

Early retirement and longer sick leave. Depression Alcoholics are 5080 times more likely to commit

suicide than the general public, (due to unemployment, economic status and social status).

Physical Effects

liver cirrhosis pancreatitis epilepsy polyneuropathy alcoholic dementia heart disease predisposition to cancer nutritional deficiencies sexual dysfunction

Mental Effects – 25% of alcoholics present with psychiatric disturbances, which worsen during withdrawal (depression, anxiety, panic disorder, bulimia, schizophrenia)

Social Effects-loss of employment causing financial problems and loss of home.-drink driving-public disorder-marital conflict-divorce-domestic violence

Preventative Measures

Increased tax on alcohol (but has lead to increased private import by travellers)

supermarkets cannot sell beer with greater alcohol content than 4.7%.

Alko cannot have a window display Drinks with an alcohol content of higher

than 22% cannot be advertised.

Current evidence indicates that alcohol dependence is:

50-60% genetically determined. 40-50% determined by environmental factors. About 10 genes have been linked with

predisposition to alcoholism. (e.g. 1 of these genes includes a mutation of

the dopamine receptor, which predisposes people to addiction of opiates and endorphin releasing drugs such as alcohol).

Primary effect of alcohol is stimulation of GABA receptor, causing CNS depression.

Repeated consumption causes desensitisation of receptors and decreased number.

This causes tolerance and dependence. If alcohol intake is stopped abruptly it results in

uncontrolled synapse firing in the CNS (anxiety, life threatening seizures)

Therefore alcohol withdrawal must be carefully managed.

Therapy

Many factors encourage drinking which must be addressed to prevent relapse.

Detoxification – drugs are given which mimic the effects of alcohol to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Medication:- Antabuse, prevents acetaldehyde release, which extends duration of

hangover acting as a deterrent for drinking.- Naltrexone, competes with opioid receptor, preventing endorphin

function, therefore no satisfaction from alcohol and no craving.- Topiramate, reduces level of dopamine, therefore no pleasure from

consuming alcohol. Group therapy and psychotherapy are used to tackle underlying

psychological issues and provide relapse prevention skills.

Sources

WHO http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6106570.stm wikipeia http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/

34/3/320 www.suomenafh.fi www.utuonline.fi www.uufisuomi.fi