Arud, one of the leading addiction medicine institutions in Switzerland, was founded in 1991 by dedicated doctors and addiction experts as a non-profit association to offer a medical response to the closure of open drug scenes. The organization is there for individuals who find themselves unable to fully control their drinking habits, offering support to those who wish to drink less, more responsibly, or quit drinking altogether. Arud provides respectful and discreet assistance, focusing on helping without being patronizing, to anyone struggling with their alcohol consumption.

Enjoyment, relaxation, and switching off are common reasons for drinking alcohol. In our culture, alcohol is the norm, and non-drinkers stand out. It’s sometimes difficult to recognize whether one’s drinking behaviour is harmful. Alcohol dependency often creeps into daily life slowly and can be a coping strategy for dealing with stress, grief, or loneliness for many people.

This campaign aims for greater understanding and fewer prejudices. Alcohol, depending on the amount consumed, can damage nearly every organ due to its high potential for addiction and harm. Beyond physical effects, alcohol consumption often comes with psychological, social, or occupational impairments.

Unfortunately, alcohol dependency is still one of the most stigmatized diseases. Affected individuals face many prejudices, such as the belief that quitting is merely a matter of willpower or endurance. Science has long disproved such statements: Addiction involves a complex interplay of factors. Just as conditions like high blood pressure or varicose veins require professional treatment, so does addiction.

While this makes sense in theory, in reality, stigmatization negatively affects the course of the disease. Worse, the stigma is an invisible and almost insurmountable barrier to seeking professional help.

Reasons for alcohol dependency vary and include the individual’s health, pre-existing mental conditions (like depression, ADHD, burn-out, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, trauma), social environment, and genetic factors. Often, consumption is an attempt at self-medication, for instance, to cope with depression symptoms. Repeated drinking can lead to loss of control and development of dependency.

Signs of potential addiction include increasingly difficult control over drinking behaviour, prioritizing alcohol consumption, needing more alcohol for the same effects, and feeling worse on days without alcohol.

Our campaign emphasizes that a person with a personal story and challenges is behind every addiction. Excessive alcohol consumption can be a coping strategy. We urge society to rethink, not to judge or exclude affected individuals, but to support them by creating an environment where alcohol problems can be openly discussed.

Arud aims to treat people respectfully and thoughtfully without moralizing. Abstinence is not a mandatory goal for treatment; reducing consumption is also a valid aim for improving health and quality of life. Addressing common comorbidities such as depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and trauma is crucial for successful treatment.

Arud offers a holistic treatment approach, coordinating care under one roof – general practitioners assess and treat possible physical sequelae, psychiatrists and psychologists provide psychotherapeutic and addiction treatments, and social workers offer patient support as needed.

Find more from Arud (Switzerland, February 2024)