During the Easter holidays, the risk of excessive alcohol consumption increases, especially among young people without experience in its consumption. Ľubomír Okruhlica, director of the Center for the Treatment of Drug Addictions, drew attention to this for TASR.
He said that addiction statistics do not indicate a worsening of the situation during the holidays. “However, we see that people who have been treated for addiction and have been abstinent for a long time are more exposed. Social pressure is still relatively strong, as the holidays are perceived as a time of relaxation associated with alcohol consumption,” Okruhlica zoomed in.
He reminded that, although from the church’s point of view, Easter is not associated with drinking alcohol, such a tradition has been created for a long time among people. “Easter is associated with potpourri, whipping, and alcohol is offered. Alcohol is also offered in families where these traditions are observed, so it is a period with increased risk and a higher number of drunks.” zoomed in.
According to him, the problems are manifested mainly in urgent incomes. “Paradoxically, it is more tolerated that young people, especially boys, are drunk on Easter. I am not talking about drivers or adults, but about those boys, where the prevailing opinion is that when it is Easter, they can drink. Then they only go to the emergency room in severe cases,” he added.
He pointed out that the most at-risk group are young people aged approximately 14 to 15 years. “These are often boys who either didn’t drink alcohol at all, or only symbolically. During the dressing, they go from one house to another, everywhere they are offered alcohol, and the body can’t handle it.” Okruhlica added. He pointed out that this can often lead to severe alcohol poisoning and, in extreme cases, to tragic consequences.
