The adequacy of the Gompertz-Makeham law (Rt = Be^αt + A) for a description of human mortality was tested. The analysis was based on statistical data of current mortality rates in men and women of 35 countries for 5 calender years. The study tested the justification of the part of the Gompertz-Makeham law postulating that age-associated mortality (i.e. Be^αt) increases exponentially. It was found that the α parameter of the age component of the Gompertz-Makeham law was not a constant value within the age range 35–75 years, but had rather an age-associated shift which was qualitatively different in men and women. The conclusion was made that the Gompertz-Makeham law did not adequately describe the mortality pattern of a modern human population. This should be borne in mind when use is made of mortality indices for the analysis of the human aging process.

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The purpose of the publication is to provide psychological assistance to families affected by the problem of drug addiction, to understand the situation and make the right decision about how to get out of it. For this aim, the principle of Active Therapy of Original Statuses (ATOS) was formulated. The term “Original Statuses” is used to define the following situations: 1) a sick young person, being under the influence of the factors of the disease in a state of psychological disorientation, does not recognize the problem and does not want to be treated or, recognizing the problem, stops fighting it; in this case, there are behavioral (psychological, emotional) dysfunctions, in which the patient refuses to change his behavior style and undergo treatment, despite the obvious harmfulness of the situation for his own health; 2) in the absence of the patient’s willingness to change his life situation, the most important factor for starting treatment is the persistent position of his close people (family members, friends, comrades), their active cooperation with doctors and psychologists to influence the patient in order for him to recognize a personal problem, make a decision about undergoing full-fledged complex treatment, that takes into account the systemic nature of the disease; 3) the recovery process depends not only on the patient’s readiness for treatment and medical measures, but also on the correct behavior and actions of others; therefore, the treatment process should include family and social psychotherapy and rational organizational measures; the key mechanism for solving the problem here is the active cooperation of doctors, psychologists and close people of the patient in the implementation of treatment tactics. It is natural that “active therapy” is defined as proactive cooperation of doctors, psychologists and close people of the patient to influence him in order to recognize his own problem, to make a decision about the necessity of full treatment. It is “Active Therapy” for the above-mentioned “Original Statuses” in order to divert a young person from drug use and critical development of events for his health and social well-being in a timely manner.