Alcohol rehabilitation clinics expect post-summer holiday rush
Cheaper booze could make annual problem worse
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Clinics run by the A-Clinic Foundation and detoxification centres are preparing for an expected rush of patients, as many Finns return to work from their summer holidays.
The pattern is familiar: during their time off work many people get into the habit of daily drinking, and sobering up sometimes proves unexpectedly difficult when the holiday is over.
This year the need for treatment could be greater than before, as a result of the drop in the alcohol tax.
In June this year sales of strong spirits in Finland were 24% higher than at the same time last year. On the other hand, alcohol sales at restaurants have declined slightly.
Heikki Lankinen, head of research at the Finnish Hotel and Restaurant Association, says that the decline has been greatest in bars where drinks are cheapest. It seems that the price-conscious clientele of neighbourhood beer bars are less interested in sitting in the establishments now that it is so much cheaper to drink at home.
A-Clinics in different parts of the country expect a surge in demand in August and September, as more people find that they have difficulties in shaking off their holiday drinking habits.
The Töölö A-Clinic in Helsinki does not expect any great changes, as the facility has already been quite busy for months.
Marianne Winberg, head of the detoxification centre at the Töölö A-Clinic, says that the rush in Helsinki began in March, soon after the tax cut brought down prices of strong spirits.
Kirsti Aalto, the head of the Espoo A-Clinic and detoxification centre, saw a different pattern; there was no immediate surge in the number of patients seeking help, but the patients suddenly appeared to be in worse shape than before.
The pattern is familiar: during their time off work many people get into the habit of daily drinking, and sobering up sometimes proves unexpectedly difficult when the holiday is over.
This year the need for treatment could be greater than before, as a result of the drop in the alcohol tax.
In June this year sales of strong spirits in Finland were 24% higher than at the same time last year. On the other hand, alcohol sales at restaurants have declined slightly.
Heikki Lankinen, head of research at the Finnish Hotel and Restaurant Association, says that the decline has been greatest in bars where drinks are cheapest. It seems that the price-conscious clientele of neighbourhood beer bars are less interested in sitting in the establishments now that it is so much cheaper to drink at home.
A-Clinics in different parts of the country expect a surge in demand in August and September, as more people find that they have difficulties in shaking off their holiday drinking habits.
The Töölö A-Clinic in Helsinki does not expect any great changes, as the facility has already been quite busy for months.
Marianne Winberg, head of the detoxification centre at the Töölö A-Clinic, says that the rush in Helsinki began in March, soon after the tax cut brought down prices of strong spirits.
Kirsti Aalto, the head of the Espoo A-Clinic and detoxification centre, saw a different pattern; there was no immediate surge in the number of patients seeking help, but the patients suddenly appeared to be in worse shape than before.
Helsingin Sanomat