ИЗСЛЕДВАНЕ ВЛИЯНИЕТО НА КОНСУМИРАН АЛКОХОЛ ВЪРХУ СОЦИАЛНОТО ФУНКЦИОНИРАНЕ НА ЛИЧНОСТТА.

The purpose of the article is to present the results of a study conducted by the author on the influence of alcohol consumption on the social functioning of the individual. The topicality of the topic stems from the following circumstances: the level of alcohol consumed in developed countries is increasing annually; alcohol is among the substances that quickly lead to addiction; it is the cause of about two hundred types of organ disorders and diseases, a number of mental and behavioral disorders; harmful and risky alcohol consumption is the ultimate cause of 7.4% of all deaths and illnesses in the European Union; Bulgaria is one of the countries that occupy the leading places in Europe in terms of consumption of alcoholic beverages. The article presents the results of the author's study of the influence of alcohol consumption on the social functioning of persons with suspected alcohol dependence. The research was conducted in the time period June 2021- July 2022 among persons undergoing treatment in addiction treatment facilities, therapeutic centers, therapeutic communities, support groups and mutual aid groups operating on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The study involved seventy-two individuals who volunteered to remain anonymous. Due to the nature of the researched problem, a fixed time period is fixed for conducting the research, and the number of persons participating in it is determined by the method of respondents. The survey was conducted with an online questionnaire developed by the author specifically for the purposes of the study. The low number of persons who responded to fill out the questionnaire for the fixed time period shows that, regardless of the results of representative surveys for the country, which show a high proportion of Bulgarians who abuse or are addicted to alcohol, it is difficult for Bulgarians to publicly admit to an existing and aware problem. The results of the conducted research give reason to claim that alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence have a serious impact on the social functioning of the affected persons. They are the cause of poor health, loss of job, loss of financial means and property, breakup of families, neglect of children, loss of friends, deviant behavior, suicide attempts and suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]