April 22, 2026
New 2025 data suggests the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion is driving a sharp rise in addiction and psychological distress across the country
russia has recorded its worst indicators of alcoholism and mental health disorders in nearly a decade, according to a new report cited by Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service. The data for 2025 suggests a sharp deterioration in public health trends, reversing years of gradual improvement and pointing to deeper structural and societal pressures.
The number of russians newly diagnosed with alcoholism or alcohol-induced psychosis reached 56.9 cases per 100,000 people – the highest level since 2016. This represents a 30% increase compared to the previous year, marking the steepest annual rise on record. The surge stands in stark contrast to the long-term decline observed between 2011 and 2020, when the rate dropped threefold.
Unlike the temporary spike in 2021, which authorities attributed to post-COVID effects, the current increase lacks a clear one-off explanation. Instead, it appears to reflect a broader and more persistent trend. The spread of diagnoses across 69 regions underscores the nationwide scope of the issue, rather than isolated local crises.
Regional data reveals particularly dramatic increases. In Omsk and Astrakhan regions, incidence rates rose fivefold and fourfold respectively, while Perm Krai saw a 3.5-fold increase, reaching 288 cases per 100,000, one of the highest figures in the country. Chukotka Autonomous Okrug remains the most affected region, with 391.4 cases per 100,000, alongside leading rates of mortality linked to alcohol, drugs, and suicide.
Economic pressures appear to be playing a significant role. Russians are increasingly shifting toward cheaper alcohol, with vodka sales rising by nearly 5% in March alone, as higher-priced spirits such as whisky and cognac become less affordable. This trend aligns with broader consumer behavior: surveys indicate that 82% of citizens expect prices for food and utilities to outpace income growth, prompting widespread cost-cutting measures.
The mental health landscape is equally concerning. In 2025, 328 new cases of mental disorders were diagnosed per 100,000 people – the highest level in 14 years. While the rate had been rising since 2018, it briefly declined during the pandemic before surging again following russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, suggesting a link between prolonged stress factors and worsening mental health outcomes.
Notably, Moscow has, for the first time, entered the top 15 regions by incidence of mental health disorders, ranking 12th with 451.6 new diagnoses per 100,000, nearly double the national average. The highest rates were recorded in Karelia, Arkhangelsk region, and Altai Krai, all exceeding 600 cases per 100,000, indicating that both central and peripheral regions are affected.
Pharmaceutical data further reflects the trend. Demand for antidepressants has surged dramatically: from 13.8 million packages sold in 2022 to 23.6 million in 2025. In monetary terms, spending nearly tripled, reaching 29 billion rubles. At the same time, substance abuse involving psychoactive drugs is rising, with regions like Dagestan and Murmansk reporting multiple-fold increases in new cases.
Officially, more than 400,000 individuals are registered in narcological care systems across russia. However, experts believe the real number is significantly higher, suggesting that the current figures may only capture part of a much larger and deepening public health crisis.
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