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 (no dependence), harmful use (physical or mental health harms but not full dependence), and substance use disorder/dependence (ranging from mild to severe).

Risk factors include genetic predisposition, mental health disorders, exposure to substances in adolescence, peer influence, trauma, stress, and sociodemographic variables such as poverty or unstable housing.

Consequences can be medical (liver disease, cardiovascular problems, infections), mental health problems (depression, anxiety, psychosis in some cases), and social/economic harms (relationship difficulties, unemployment, crime). Early intervention reduces harm.

Prevention and treatment emphasize screening in primary care, brief interventions, and evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Pharmacological options exist for some substances, notably medications for alcohol use disorder (acamprosate, naltrexone, disulfiram) and opioid use disorder (methadone, buprenorfiin). Treatment may be offered in outpatient, inpatient, or integrated care settings and often includes harm-reduction strategies and social support.

In Estonia and elsewhere, kuritarvituste policy combines public health initiatives, education, regulation, access to treatment, and stigma reduction to reduce harm and improve recovery outcomes.