When we came to Ukraine on those first few short-term trips, we were told many times by our friends who lived here that alcoholism was a huge problem in their country. We also learned that drinking was not acceptable if you were a member of a church and called yourself a follower of Jesus. I recall thinking- Wow, that's pretty legalistic. No drinking? What's the harm in having a drink now and then?- And this is the mindset of many followers of Jesus in the US. I'm sure many of you would agree. (FYI: I'm not writing this to get into any theological arguments or debates- I have another purpose in mind- so hang tight).
After having lived here for the past year, I have a much better understanding and respect for the "no drinking rule" and also a greater understanding of how many lives here are affected by alcoholism.
Now this is my own personal thought/opinion/view from a non-native. It seems like there are 2 kinds of people here: those who drink and those who do not. There is no "social drinking"; if you drink, you drink hardcore, you drink to get drunk (in its various stages from giddiness to passed out on the street)- and will most likely end up being an alcoholic. If people know you drink, this is what they expect from you. The only other alternative is to not drink.
Some people (like I did myself) may think this is an extreme alternative, but after seeing firsthand the effects of alcohol on so many people- it totally makes sense and I have a great respect for the followers of Jesus here who have conformed to this alternative.
Everyday, it is not uncommon to pass by people that are laying down on the ground where they passed out, to pass by people swaggering down the sidewalk, barely keeping themselves upright, as they walk home. To see people attempting to cross the street and watching cars and buses swerving to avoid them. To have random people come up to you (on the street, on the bus, in the store) and start talking to you, put their hands on your shoulders like they are getting into a deep, philosophical discussion (and then you smell it heavy on their breath).
I was walking with a friend today and as we passed a certain section of sidewalk in front of a store, I commented that there are always interesting things for sale here. There are always maybe 4-5 different people with random things set out for sale: old shoes, old books, old bags, etc...). My friend said that the people selling there were usually alcoholics looking to make some extra money; selling whatever they could find around their house.
A few months ago, Solomiya and I were walking home from town and we saw a heart-wrenching scene: a young woman, maybe 24 years old, disheveled clothing, messy hair, barefoot, running (or trying to run) down the sidewalk, falling, picking herself back up again, yelling a name, clearly plastered. I looked ahead of her and saw a young man calmly leading a little girl (maybe 4 years old) away from this woman.
Our fellow American friends passed an old woman on the side of the road while driving. The woman was lying there, not moving. They pull over, get out, try to see if she is alive. Another person walks by and says for them to not worry, because the woman only passed out from being drunk; she does this all the time; leave her outside and her family will take care of her when they come home.

Crazy stuff. Maybe this is why the average life expectancy of a person is 65 years old. 65 years.