I think it is a continuous trend. Some 20 years ago vodka has followed you anywhere in Russia. It was ok to have a shot at breakfast, some six shots at lunch and a half a bottle after work. A person limiting himself to that amount of booze in that order wasn’t even considered a drinker. Refusing a drink with someone was counted as an insult and if one haven’t drank at all people could think the person is gay or have some sort of terminal illness.
It is gradually changing, especially for a last decade.
I think today people around make scary eyes at you if you ‘ll order a pint of beer along your burger at Burger King before noon.
And, as I learned from experience, if Russians bring a large jug of vodka to a party, nobody leaves until it’s polished off.
Reminds me of that Russian ice skater on Oprah a few years back. She got pulled over for a DUI. Oprah asked how much she had to drink and she said, “Five Long Island Ice Teas” the audience gasped and she said in Russia that was absolutely normal.
Most of the hard drinkers I know that quit had replaced it with anti-depressants and/or anti-anxiety drugs.
Still more just dialed back the drinking and took the pills.
Xanax and Tequila is the dose of choice now.