Starting 5 May 2024, the advisory phone number of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control will expand its services, providing telephone consultations for residents, facilitating inquiries about available addiction treatment services, and providing psychological support for residents with alcohol use disorders.
The helpline aims to provide anonymous psychological assistance, motivate and support residents in changing their habits or those of others, and offer information about available resources and services for addiction treatment.
Residents will receive counselling on quitting smoking, addressing alcohol and drug abuse problems, gambling and co-dependency issues.
The use of addictive substances is a widespread problem in Latvia. In 2023, almost a third of the population aged 18–74 used a product containing tobacco or nicotine daily. Additionally, Latvia ranks first among OECD countries in registered absolute alcohol consumption for individuals aged 15 or older. A growing trend can also be observed in drug experimentation.