Moscow's Teens Ditch Alcohol for Sports and Healthy Lifestyles

Moscow has seen a notable shift in youth behaviour, with alcohol falling out of favour among teenagers. Social media trends now push weekend sports over drinking, and the city’s prevention efforts have played a key role in this change. The city has developed a unique, integrated approach to tackling adolescent substance abuse. Its Child Rehabilitation Center offers multidisciplinary care for under-18s, with narcologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, educators and social workers all involved.

At the same time, Moscow’s young people are increasingly embracing healthy lifestyles. More sports and cultural activities, along with new recreational spaces, have given them appealing alternatives to alcohol. The city is also expanding its sports facilities, with new courts recently opened near Tretyakovsky Proezd. Moscow now ranks among Russia’s top regions for low alcohol consumption, alongside the North Caucasus. The combination of prevention programmes, lifestyle changes and better facilities has led to the lowest rates of alcohol use and alcoholism in the country.