Postrelko V. Alcohol Dependence Syndrome in Clean-up Workers of the Chernobyl Accident: Clinical Epidemiology and Treatment

The theoretical systematization and new solution of the current scientific problem concerning the assessment of mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol use in clean-up workers (liquidators) of the Chernobyl accident have been realized. This involved the clinical and epidemiological pattern of the alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) development following the Chernobyl accident and working out of the effective treatment. The secondariness of alcohol abuse and ADS in liquidators following to external exposure to ionizing radiation in doses of 0.0003-2.87 Gy on the background of mental, somatic and neurological abnormalities as a "closed psychosomatic circle" was shown. The risk factors of alcohol abuse and ADS in liquidators following to external exposure to ionizing radiation were defined. The diagnostic criteria of alcohol abuse and ADS in liquidators following to external exposure to ionizing radiation were proposed. The effective and safety treatment of ADS in liquidators were developed and implemented.