12.08.2024 - Half of Swedes (49 percent) have at some point been negatively affected by others' drinking during the summer vacation, according to IQ's survey on Swedes' summer drinking habits. Six out of ten (58 percent) report drinking more alcohol in the summer, and for one in four (26 percent), it is also more common to drink more than planned. Additionally, one in five (20 percent) has drunk in a way that made them question their own drinking.
In the summer, we socialize more and there are more opportunities to drink alcohol. In IQ's survey on Swedes' summer drinking, conducted by Novus, one in five (20 percent) reported that during the summer, they had drunk in a way that made them question their own drinking.
It's not just one's own drinking that can be problematic. Half (49 percent) also report being negatively affected by others' drinking.
– For most people, it is not a problem to increase their drinking for a period. But the fact that so many have drunk more than they planned and in a way that makes them even question their own drinking should be taken seriously. That half have also been negatively affected by someone else's drinking is concerning, says Mojtaba Ghodsi, CEO of IQ.
One in three Swedes (36 percent) report drinking alcohol at least three times a week during the summer, and six out of ten (58 percent) drink more alcohol in the summer compared to other times of the year. For one in four (26 percent), it is also more common to drink more than they had planned.
Most people have no problem cutting down on alcohol when the vacation is over. But some find it harder than they imagined, and that more glasses find their way into everyday life than they had intended.
– Even if it requires more effort than expected, most people manage to make a change and reduce their consumption on their own. But if it doesn't work, one should not be afraid to seek help, says Sara Wallhed Finn, psychologist and alcohol researcher.
3 tips for breaking vacation habits
Consider why you want to cut down. What are the benefits of reduced consumption? What are your motivations?
Set a goal for how you want to drink, such as the number of glasses per week and in which situations.
Write down day by day how you drink to get an idea of the situations in which you drink and how much it amounts to. Evaluate after a few weeks.
Support and advice For those who are worried about their own or others' drinking habits, IQ offers two services that provide support and advice.
Alkoholprofilen.se: An anonymous test for those who want to know more about their drinking habits and how they affect themselves and others.
Alkoholsnacket.se: Provides support to those who are concerned about someone else's drinking habits. The service guides users to an initial conversation, with concrete tips on how to approach it.
Survey results:
6 out of 10 (58 percent) drink more alcohol during the summer compared to other times of the year.
Just over one in three* (36 percent) drink alcohol every other day or more often during the summer vacation.
One in five (20 percent) has, during the summer, drunk so much that they questioned their own drinking.
One in three (33 percent) drink alcohol to unwind during the summer vacation.
Half** (49 percent) have at some point during a summer vacation been negatively affected by others' drinking.
Results refer to those who report drinking alcohol. Refers only to those who have had a summer vacation. **Refers to all respondents, including those who do not drink alcohol themselves.
About the survey The survey was conducted by Novus among 1,063 people aged 18–84 in Novus' randomly recruited Swedish panel. The field period was July 18–23, 2024. Of these 1,063 people, 85 percent (928) report that they drink alcohol. See more in the attached fact sheet.