Summer, sun and holidays. Then the Swedes take the opportunity to drink alcohol. During holidays we drink the most and consumption is at its highest during the summer holiday months.
– People are off and have more free time and maybe meet friends, acquaintances and relatives. It provides more opportunities for alcohol consumption and you may have fewer things scheduled for the next day, which makes it feel more possible to drink more and more often, says Ander Hammarberg, docent in clinical addiction research.
Risks of summer drinking
However, there are risks with increased alcohol consumption.
– I think it is important to emphasize that in most cases there are no significant risks if you drink a little more for a few weeks on holiday. At the same time, we know that there are increased risks in what is usually called risky drug consumption. That’s ten glasses a week, says Ander Hammarberg and continues:
– If consumption is elevated for a longer period of time, there is an increased risk picture for various types of diseases such as cancer, mental illness or cardiovascular diseases or the like.
“It can be a good rule of thumb”
Although consumption is limited to a few weeks in the summer, there are still many who find it difficult to stop when the holidays are over.
– We notice at our reception that some describe it as an occasion when they notice that they have developed a drinking problem. Many people find it difficult to reduce consumption after summer vacation or other time off, and people remain at a high level of consumption, says Anders Hammarberg.
He believes that it may therefore be wise to see the period as a limited time in order not to end up in an addiction.
– But seeing summer and holidays as a limited time and then trying to return to a lower consumption or an everyday consumption that is not above the risk consumption levels, that can be a good rule of thumb. But it can be a challenge for some.
This is how you can think about alcohol this summer
Anders Hammarberg also lists some tips that may be important to consider when it comes to holiday drinking.
– You should pay attention to some other warning flags. If others think you drink too much or too often. Even if others react or are affected in some way. That should be taken to heart, he says and continues:
– Or that you yourself notice that you have difficulty stopping drinking once you have started. That it is very easy to drink too much. Even if the alcohol takes up too much space. That it competes with other things that you think are important in life is also a warning flag.
Many surveys indicate that many feel pressure to drink, as the social norm is positive towards alcohol in various contexts.
– Mainly during holidays and such. Many individuals find it stressful. You can think about it a bit, that how you drink yourself can also affect how others drink. Social pressure can play a big role, says Anders Hammarberg.