Russian Intelligence Data for 2025 Reveals Record Levels of Alcoholism and Mental Disorders

Russia's Alcoholism Crisis in 2025

According to Главком: In 2025, Russia recorded its worst levels of alcohol dependency in nine years, alongside a 14-year high in newly diagnosed mental disorders. The problem of alcoholism has spread to 69 regions, with the highest rates observed in Chukotka, Omsk Oblast, Astrakhan Oblast, and Perm Krai. Sales of cheap alcohol and medications for treating addiction continue to climb. This trend presents a significant public health challenge for the nation.

According to the data, the number of Russians receiving a first-time diagnosis of alcoholism or alcoholic psychosis reached 56.9 per 100,000 people in 2025. This is the highest rate since 2016 and represents a 30% increase over the previous year. It is notable that between 2011 and 2020, this figure had fallen threefold, from 107.8 to 40 per 100,000. A 15% spike in 2021 was attributed to post-pandemic effects, but the current figures lack such an explanation, according to the Foreign Intelligence Service.

Mental Health Disorders and Regional Data

First-time diagnoses of mental disorders hit a 14-year record in 2025, at 328 cases per 100,000 people. The rate began rising in 2018, dipped during the pandemic, but resumed its climb following the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reaching a peak by 2025. Moscow recorded 451.6 new diagnoses per 100,000.

The regional situation is also alarming. For example:

• In Omsk Oblast, incidence rates increased fivefold;
• In Astrakhan Oblast – fourfold;
• In Perm Krai, the figure soared 3.5 times to 288 per 100,000;
• Chukotka recorded 391.4 diagnoses per 100,000;
• Karelia registered over 700 cases of mental disorders per 100,000;
• In Arkhangelsk Oblast and Altai Krai, cases exceeded 600 per 100,000.

Vodka sales rose by 4.95% in March 2025, and during the first half of the year, 553.2 thousand packages of anti-alcoholism drugs were sold-a 13.5% increase over the same period last year. One pharmacy chain sold such medications worth 44 million rubles in the first six months, a 48% year-on-year increase.

The study also found a rise in alcohol-related cancer mortality. Deaths among men over 55 increased by 56%, while the rate among women rose by 8%.

Budgetary constraints adopted by Russians last year continue to affect their spending. 82% of citizens expect prices for food and utilities to outpace income growth.

The situation with alcoholism and mental disorders in Russia points to profound social and economic strains requiring urgent state intervention. Rising levels of alcohol abuse and associated mental illnesses could have long-term consequences for society, impacting the economy and healthcare system. This underscores the need for comprehensive programs for addiction prevention, treatment, and mental health support for the population.