@P E Dant,
The Russian have a strange treatment for alcoholism. It's hypnotism combined with a negative reinforcement that scares the hell out of people if they drink. With one negative experience induced by a chemical that causes symptoms that feel life threatening when combined with alcohol, the patient refuses to drink alcohol out of fear of repeating the symptoms because the negative suggestion under hypnosis makes them believe they will die if they drink alcohol. I guess that's what happened to Vladimir. It's kind of brutal, but I guess it works.
Xavier's x-acto excised x-rating