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Spotlight on Alcohol Dependence
The majority of alcohol-dependent people in Sweden have a functioning social life with a family, a home and a job. In total, there are more than one million Swedes who consume alcohol to such an extent that it can be considered harmful and to entail a risk of dependence. But the health services are starting to help them too.
News and in-depth articles
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One drink too many
More than one million Swedes consume alcohol to such an extent that it can be considered harmful and to entail a risk of dependence.
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The benefit of alcohol is being questioned
Sven Andréasson: "How could alcohol, which is toxic to most biological tissues, be healthy?”
![Tonårsdrickande kan sia om framtida leversjukdom. Foto: iStock](/sites/kise/files/styles/article_full_width/public/2018/04/drinkar_alkohol_istock.jpg?itok=n6J013x6)
Teenage drinking may predict future liver disease
Adolescent drinking predicts the risk of liver disease 40 years later, shows a study that casts doubt on current views on what constitutes “safe” drinking.
![A person drinking too much alcohol](/sites/kise/files/styles/article_full_width/public/qbank/Alcohol-custom20220323080915.jpg?itok=Lzn35hjh)
Few with alcohol use disorders receives medication
In Sweden there is a large underutilization of alcohol medication for alcohol use disorder as well as unequal provision of treatment between different groups in society, according to a study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
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Web-based CBT effective for alcohol use disorder
While alcohol dependency is becoming increasingly common, it is difficult to obtain help. However, new research presented in a doctoral thesis by Magnus Johansson at Karolinska Institutet shows that web-based CBT is no less effective than face-to-face CBT.
Voices on alcohol dependence
![Thomas Sjövall. Photo: Annika af Klercker](/sites/kise/files/styles/article_full_width/public/qbank/thomas_sjovall_foto_annika_af_klercker-custom20210607185556.jpg?itok=FsTvwsMT)
“I gave myself the gift of better habits”
Thomas Sjövall has actively chosen to start drinking less in order not to cross the line into risky drinking.
![Sanna Kajaskero. Photo: Annika af Klercker](/sites/kise/files/styles/article_full_width/public/qbank/sanna_kajaskero_foto_annika-af-klercker-custom20210607185122.jpg?itok=_CRXmpP-)
“In a way, I have lost my dad”
Sanna Kajaskero has an alcohol-dependent dad and is herself a teetotaller.
![Håkan Liljekvist. Photo: Eruika Weiland](/sites/kise/files/styles/article_full_width/public/qbank/hakan_liljekvist_foto_eruika_weiland-custom20210607185215.jpg?itok=K27SMYdw)
“I had to choose between life and death”
Håkan Liljekvist is sober now, but was previously alcohol-dependent.