kuritarvituste
Kuritarvitused (substance misuse) is a term used in Estonian public health to describe a pattern of using alcohol or other substances that causes harm or carries a high risk of harm and that reflects a degree of loss of control. The term can cover a range from risky or problematic use to clinically significant substance use disorders. It includes misuse of alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription medications when taken in ways not intended by a clinician.
Classification usually follows international standards such as DSM-5 and ICD-11. These systems differentiate between risky use
Risk factors include genetic predisposition, mental health disorders, exposure to substances in adolescence, peer influence, trauma,
Consequences can be medical (liver disease, cardiovascular problems, infections), mental health problems (depression, anxiety, psychosis in
Prevention and treatment emphasize screening in primary care, brief interventions, and evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral
In Estonia and elsewhere, kuritarvituste policy combines public health initiatives, education, regulation, access to treatment, and