The head of the department of drug addiction and substance abuse at the Russian National Research Medical University INOPR, as reported by socialbites.ca, suggested that a healthy person can be exposed to the notion of alcoholism through a mechanism described as induced psychosis. The statement came from NI Pirogov, a psychiatrist-narcologist, and points to how social interactions can influence perceptions of substance use and its consequences.
According to Blagov, there exists a mechanism he calls induced psychosis, which can contribute to the formation of alcohol use disorders. He explains that this mental state in a patient may emerge from delusional content that another person shares, especially when those individuals have close contact. Such dynamics are more likely to occur within families or intimate circles where daily interactions are intense and social circumstances promote a shared mood and beliefs. In these settings, harmful ideas about alcohol can become embedded as if they are universal truths guiding behavior.
Blagov notes that an individual without a prior alcohol problem can become receptive to the belief that alcohol brings happiness, by absorbing this sentiment from someone nearby. This transfer of ideas can shape expectations about drinking and its effects, reinforcing the sense that alcohol consumption is a path to social success, relaxation, or mood improvement.
Consider a social gathering where alcohol is widely present and the atmosphere exudes buoyancy and carefree enjoyment. A person new to drinking might seek a role model or a figure of authority within the group who appears confident or charismatic while drinking. That person may begin to align with the group’s mood, internalizing the notion that intoxication is integral to a good time. In Blagov’s words, intoxication and its associated meanings may become linked to a desirable life, upbeat music, optimism, and general happiness in the social script.
From this perspective, the attraction to drinking can be amplified by the social environment, turning the act of consuming alcohol into a socially sanctioned route to belonging and emotional relief. The formation of drinking patterns may then be driven by perceived social validation, rather than by a preexisting preference for alcohol itself. This perspective emphasizes the influence of interpersonal dynamics and cultural cues on the initiation of alcohol-related behavior.
Blagov argues that this process can lay the groundwork for later alcohol-driven behaviors, with an early exposure phase where the modeling of drinking acts and positive associations with alcohol become prevailing factors. While the exact trajectories vary among individuals, the early social-environmental reinforcing factors can create a persistent pattern of alcohol use that may be difficult to alter without targeted intervention.
The narcologist notes that the same mechanism could apply to other forms of substance use. The implication is that alcohol use disorders can be viewed through a psycho-infectious lens, in which social communication and shared beliefs play a significant role in the emergence and persistence of addictive behaviors. This perspective invites a broader approach to prevention and treatment that considers family dynamics, peer influence, and the social context in which drinking occurs.
People may wonder how internal prohibitions against drinking are formed. This issue involves a combination of personal beliefs, social norms, and cultural messaging that shape attitudes toward alcohol from a young age. Family conversations, community attitudes, and media messages can all contribute to how individuals conceptualize alcohol use, its risks, and its supposed rewards. Recognizing these influences can help in designing strategies to reduce early exposure and promote healthier behaviors within communities.
In summary, the proposed mechanism highlights the power of social interaction in shaping perceptions of alcohol and the potential for rapid adoption of drinking norms within closely connected groups. While not everyone exposed in this way will develop alcohol use problems, the idea underscores the importance of supportive environments, accurate information about alcohol’s effects, and early intervention when risky patterns begin to appear. Ongoing research and clinical observation continue to explore how psycho-social factors interact with individual biology to influence the development of substance use disorders.