Book: Russian fate, the confession of the renegade. Page 1

Drunkenness I thought was morally justified. Moreover, I regarded him as a phenomenon is inevitable in the conditions of Russia, and as a phenomenon of social, not medical. <...> In Russia, alcohol was never a part of normal food, as in many other places on the planet. He was always part of public policy. The main causes of alcoholism has always been poverty and misery of life, and psychological drama generated by the hopelessness of the situation and despair. In the early postwar years, binge drinking has taken such proportions, such as never was in all last history of Russia. Didn't have money for good food and clothes. And drinking enough. It was cheaper. People have experienced untold misery and sorrow. Drunk is for the time forgotten. Life became a little more colorful and fun. Relationships with people have become heartier. The government deliberately maintained drinking as a means to divert people's attention from their plight. Alcoholic drinks were sold everywhere. In the evenings, which are regularly arranged in all institutions and enterprises, certainly worked for buffet.