A study was carried out to analyze the status of noncommercial alcohol in the Grodno region. A semi-structured interview was conducted with participants from the following groups: homeless individuals, patients under treatment in the Substance Abuse Department of the Grodno Regional Psychiatric Clinic, and urban and rural residents from the general population. The questions concerned the type of alcohol beverage consumed, the method of consuming alcohol and its surrogates, and health problems arising from the consumption of alcohol, with emphasis on the consumption of noncommercial alcohol.
 

The data obtained from interviews and indirect estimation indicates that noncommercial alcohol continues to account for a significant portion of total alcohol consumption in Belarus. The main types of noncommercial alcohol used are samogon, counterfeit vodka, and medicinal preparations that contain alcohol and industrial alcohol. Noncommercial alcohol is most popular among the homeless, patients of substance abuse clinics, and rural residents.
 

For more information on the study and its findings, please click here.