Decryption. Are Bretons really champions of alcoholism?

The image sticks to Brittany’s skin. That simple alcohol and population that raises his elbow a few times. The harshness of life in the past, the result of the First World War or the matriarchal society? Scientists are divided on the explanation. But are Bretons really the biggest consumers of alcohol? Response elements.

A few ice cubes, a dose of a famous brand of Italian aperitif in a zero-alcohol version, three measures of fruit juice and some sparkling water. This is a recipe for a mocktail, in other words a non-alcoholic cocktail that resembles two drops of water, a very popular drink on the terrace.

An initiative aimed at young people and launched by the Ile-et-Villaine Cancer League on the occasion of “Dry January”, the challenge of the literally “dry” month of January, that is to say without alcohol.

To read: Dry January found in Brittany: “The problem is not the alcohol, it’s the friends”

“We have to go where they are, Analysis Patrick Bourget. Bars are meeting places, so if we can, through their consumption in bars, change their consumption habits, we might make progress in solving the problem.” explains the president of the League Against Cancer 35.

Like about ten Rennes bars and restaurants, the Café des Jacobins has decided to join the process, even if the results are modest for the moment. “Since the beginning of the month we have sold about twenty non-alcoholic cocktails, Comments Sebastian Blott. The objective is not to sell alcohol-free products, the objective is to send a message, to create awareness about one’s health.” Refers to the director of the establishment.

Because according to the latest known statistics, in Brittany, excessive alcohol consumption, more than elsewhere, promotes the outbreak of cancer. Alcohol is responsible for 2,000 of the 28,000 fatal alcohol-related cancers each year in France, or 7.14% of cancers, while Bretons represent only 4.96% of France’s population.

Professor Romain Moirand is head of the Functional Addiction Unit at Rennes University Hospital. “We have very specific statistics that show high alcohol-related cancer mortality in Brittany, The doctor prescribes which adds, There are also liver diseases, cirrhosis, cardiovascular problems caused by alcohol consumption and ultimately suicide.”

“i like white An 18-year-old man was found on a terrace in Rennes on Thursday evening. “We start with one bottle, then possibly a second, just to get through the evening.”

For Lola, it “Vodka-jet, because it is rather profitable. It costs less and we have a good quality-to-cook ratio.” The 20-year-old smiled.

Brittany is distinguished by a very specific kind of excess. The region is first in France in terms of significant alcohol consumption. This phenomenon is called “binge drinking” and corresponds to the consumption of more than six doses of strong alcohol in less than two hours.

Men are particularly affected.

Esther notes, “We all regularly consume too much. But according to the girl,”As long as it is punctual, I think it is not disturbing.”

Contrary to popular belief, Brittany remains in the French average when it comes to regular alcohol consumption. In this ranking, it comes behind Occitanie, or New Aquitaine.

On the other hand, in our region, males are affected 5 times more than females.

And if alcohol is a symbol of happiness, it can also turn into a real nightmare.

We can no longer control this call, and most importantly, we continue despite the negative consequences it has on our lives and those around us.”

Valerie Ruellen, Co-President “Friends of Health 35”

Valerie, Aline, Patrick and Loic are all sober alcoholics. Members of “Friends of Health” Association. They know, better than anyone, what this disease represents, which destroys everything in its path.

“It is inevitable, Testifies Valerie Ruellen, co-president of Friends of Health. We can no longer control this call, and most importantly, we continue despite the negative consequences it has on our lives and those around us.”

The volunteers of the association are determined to help other patients rebuild their lives and give themselves a new lease of life.

“When we get out of alcohol, we become someone else, we get back to who we were before with a few extras” Aline Turbe believes. For this volunteer, giving up alcohol was a new beginning.

A message of hope for breaking alcohol-related taboos.