Alcohol 

In Sweden, alcohol is seen by many students as a natural part of student life. But to constantly find yourself in situations where alcohol is present can lead to losing control of your consumption. Many find it hard to say no to drinking alcohol, because it feels like it is expected of them. 

Research shows that many students are at risk of hazardous use. Hazardous use is characterised by excessive alcohol consumption and can cause you to behave in a way you do not usually and to take greater risks. In the long run, high alcohol consumption can lead to harmful use or dependence where you completely lose control of how much you drink.   

How do you react to alcohol?  

People react differently to alcohol. At lower consumption levels, many feel that they relax and generally feel good, that they gain better self-confidence and become more outgoing. At higher consumption levels, many become more depressed, irritable and aggressive, which can negatively affect social relationships. How do you feel when you drink? It may be useful to reflect on your intake and mood when consuming alcohol.  

Hangover - when alcohol leaves the body  

The well-known hangover, which usually leads to headaches, nausea and dizziness, occurs when alcohol leaves your body. This affects your mood and your cognitive ability, which in turn negatively affects your ability to study.  

Benefits of controlling your alcohol intake: 

• You only drink so much that you can still enjoy the moment without running the risk of negative consequences.
• You protect your brain and your physical health.
• You ensure that you are reasonably alert the next day to study or engage in meaningful leisure activities.
• You keep control of your behaviour and don’t do things that you regret. 

When should you seek help? 

If you notice that you have lost control of your alcohol intake or that it starts to negatively affect your health, your relationships or your studies, do not hesitate to seek support. Talk to someone you trust or seek professional help.  There are various forms of help available anonymously, through your municipality or your region. The student health service is usually a good first step to help you deal with any challenges or provide you with information on where additional support can be obtained. If you are under the age of 23, or under 25 in some regions, you can also apply for help at the youth guidance centre. 1177.se also provides information on where support can be obtained.  

Are you worried about a friend? 

An important first step for many people who have a hazardous or harmful drinking habit is their first conversation with someone else. If you are worried about someone’s alcohol consumption, it can be difficult to know how to respond to them. At alkoholsnacket.se (in Swedish), you are given a guide on how to conduct an initial conversation, which includes advice on how to address the person. There is also information on where to find more help and tips on how to best take care of yourself. It’s important to remember that it is not your responsibility to get someone else to stop drinking or seek help. Only they can do that. 

Facts about Swedish alcohol legislation

In order to purchase beverages that contains alcohol at bars and restaurants you need to be at least 18 years old. If you want to buy alcohol at Systembolaget (state-owned chain of liquor stores) you need to be 20 years old. You will need to show your ID when buying alcohol at Systembolaget and restaurants/bars. 

It is forbidden to consume alcohol at some public places. Check what applies in your municipality. If you get caught drinking at a public place where it is forbidden, you could get fined by the police. 

The limit for drunk driving in Sweden is 0.2 per mille in the blood or 0.1 per mille in exhaled air. The penalty for drunk driving is a fine or prison for up to six months. In addition, the driver’s license is normally revoked for twelve months.