Alcohol
Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in Finland, as most Finns use alcohol at least to some extent. However, the proportion of young people who do not consume alcohol at all or to a small extent has increased, and they drink until they get drunk less frequently. Alcohol is often a drink of social situations and togetherness. However, for some users, alcohol also leads to problems with social interaction, and overuse can impact their ability to look after themselves. It is important to remember that alcohol is not an essential requirement for humans and has no health benefits.
Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in Finland, as most Finns use alcohol at least to some extent. However, the proportion of young people who do not consume alcohol at all or to a small extent has increased, and they drink until they get drunk less frequently. Alcohol is often a drink of social situations and togetherness. However, for some users, alcohol also leads to problems with social interaction, and overuse can impact their ability to look after themselves. It is important to remember that alcohol is not an essential requirement for humans and has no health benefits.
In healthy adults, low-risk alcohol use is 0-1 units per day for women and 0-2 units per day in men. If alcohol is consumed on a daily basis, for example 7 units per week in a healthy woman and 14 units in a man, the risk of harm is already higher. Even lower levels of consumption can lead to health problems, because people react to alcohol individually. "Moderate consumption of alcohol" describes a situation where the amounts and manner of alcohol consumption are such that the probability of harm is low. Moderate users are naturally cautious if the units-per-day limit is temporarily exceeded.
Risks and impacts
There are an estimated 400,000 alcoholics in Finland. About 300,000 of them are employed, which is more than 10% of the country's 2.4 million working adults. 23% of Finnish adults have experienced excessive alcohol use by one or both parents during childhood. Alcohol can cause both mental and physical dependence. For example, a hangover after being drunk is a withdrawal symptom and a sign that the body is trying to recover from a state of alcohol poisoning. However, most alcohol-related harm does not arise from alcohol dependence. Alcohol is linked to a number of diseases, affecting organs such as the heart, liver and brain, but also to cancer. Alcohol can cause and/or worsen mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, and smoking also increases the negative health effects of alcohol. A particularly harmful situation is mixed use, of alcohol with other substances, i.e. drinking and the use of drugs or intoxicants.
Risks and impacts
There are an estimated 400,000 alcoholics in Finland. About 300,000 of them are employed, which is more than 10% of the country's 2.4 million working adults. 23% of Finnish adults have experienced excessive alcohol use by one or both parents during childhood. Alcohol can cause both mental and physical dependence. For example, a hangover after being drunk is a withdrawal symptom and a sign that the body is trying to recover from a state of alcohol poisoning. However, most alcohol-related harm does not arise from alcohol dependence. Alcohol is linked to a number of diseases, affecting organs such as the heart, liver and brain, but also to cancer. Alcohol can cause and/or worsen mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, and smoking also increases the negative health effects of alcohol. A particularly harmful situation is mixed use, of alcohol with other substances, i.e. drinking and the use of drugs or intoxicants.
Keep track of your drinking.
OttoMitta 2.0 is an app that helps you stay on track with your blood alcohol content and alcohol burn time. It also calculates how many calories are consumed through drinking, and how much money has been spent on alcohol. OttoMitta 2.0 works with the user's own data, which is not visible elsewhere. The application cannot be used as a breathalyzer - if you do drink, do not drive.
You can download the OttoMitta 2.0 app for free from AppStore, Google Play tai Windows Phone Marketplace.
Early symptoms of excessive alcohol use include difficulty sleeping, upset stomach, and high blood pressure. Alcohol is also linked to being overweight, which increases the risk of other health problems. Additionally, alcohol is linked to impulsiveness, violence, suicide and other social problems. The inability to stop or restrict one’s own drinking, as well as other people’s concerns about the drinking or other related activities, are signs that there may be problems controlling alcohol use.
Reducing and quitting
If you are concerned for a loved one, see this page on Tuntuu.fi and AddictionLink. A one-time decision to stop, or reduce drinking is often not enough, but the decision must be made over and over again as you pass bars and restaurants and the alcohol aisle in the supermarket or shop. Think about the reasons why kicking the habit is important to you. Spend time with your loved ones and try to find new ways of feeling good and excited to help you beat the addiction. You can get additional help to stop alcohol abuse and recover from alcoholism from peer support such as Alcoholics Anonymous groups (some groups in English), as well as from your own health center and student or occupational health team. To test your alcohol consumption and for seeking help see AddictionLink (also in Swedish, Estonian and Arabic).
Reducing and quitting
If you are concerned for a loved one, see this page on Tuntuu.fi and AddictionLink. A one-time decision to stop, or reduce drinking is often not enough, but the decision must be made over and over again as you pass bars and restaurants and the alcohol aisle in the supermarket or shop. Think about the reasons why kicking the habit is important to you. Spend time with your loved ones and try to find new ways of feeling good and excited to help you beat the addiction. You can get additional help to stop alcohol abuse and recover from alcoholism from peer support such as Alcoholics Anonymous groups (some groups in English), as well as from your own health center and student or occupational health team. To test your alcohol consumption and for seeking help see AddictionLink (also in Swedish, Estonian and Arabic).
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