The average citizen of Montenegro drinks 9,4 liters of pure alcohol per year, and real consumption is probably higher due to unregistered production in households.
Even more alarming, research shows that young people start consuming alcohol around the age of 13, often within the family, said Sanja Šišević, program director of the NGO Cazas, on the occasion of World Day against Alcoholism, in the "Colors of the Morning" program on TV Vijesti.
"According to research, alcohol consumption begins around the age of 13. Unfortunately, in a large percentage, the first contact with alcohol occurs precisely in the family environment. This drinking pattern, especially excessive alcohol consumption on weekends, has become dominant among teenagers and students. It is also worrying that the difference in consumption between men and women is decreasing, partly due to the marketing strategies of the alcohol industry that target the younger population," Šišević pointed out.
Dr. Nelica Ivanović, a pediatrician and neurologist, warns that alcohol not only damages neurotransmitters, but can also cause a decrease in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory, which impairs learning, concentration, and planning abilities.
"Alcohol also encourages impulsivity and increases the risk of developing anxiety and depression. Of particular concern is the fact that, if alcohol is tried between the ages of 11 and 12, as many as 14 to 16 percent of these individuals develop alcohol dependence after ten years," emphasizes Dr. Ivanović.
According to data from the Public Institution "Kakaricka gora", the structure of citizens seeking help for alcohol withdrawal has changed significantly. While previously, the average age of users seeking treatment was around 35, now most of them are between 25 and 26 years old. Also, women's interest in inpatient treatment is increasing.
"With us, inpatient treatment lasts a year, and after that we monitor our clients for another year," pointed out Aida Kerović, social worker at the "Kakaricka Gora" Public Institution.
Kerović emphasizes that relapses are common and that they are an integral part of the disease.
"Our clients often seek help again, which is no exception in the treatment process. Long-term and quality abstinence is often achieved only after several unsuccessful attempts at quitting," she added.
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