Alcoholism in Swedish women has risen by more than 50% in just four years the government has shown.  Swedish women are hitting the bottle harder than ever now, even more than men.  One important reason is that it's become easier and cheaper to obtain alcohol.  With these high numbers of alcoholism, then there will be more incidences of drunk driving, alcohol-related accidents, and alcohol poisoning. 
This goes to prove that the more available alcohol is, the more people are reluctant to drink, so alcoholism will probably increase also.  

how can it be easier to obtain alcohol? I dont think making it easier will make a person drink more because if someone wants something theyre going to go get it either way.

ILuvCows said: how can it be easier to obtain alcohol? I dont think making it easier will make a person drink more because if someone wants something theyre going to go get it either way.

I think if alcohol is just around then a person will take it. I'm like that with weed, if its around Ill take a few puffs, but I'd never go out of my way and go buy it. But I think with some drinkers after they drink so much because its around then they start buying it.

This is a common way of thinking for occasional drinkers.  They hardly ever go out and buy alcohol, but if someone offers them a shot, then they're totally up for it.  This is really hard to maintain though.  Recreational drinkers may start wanting it more and more.  I could see this being a problem in marriages.  Just because one person can maintain this lifestyle, it doesn't mean their partner can too.  I think it's great to be able to control your alcohol, and know when to say I've had enough, but you have to be careful.

I have a few friends who drink daily! They dont miss a single day, but I also have friends who hang out with them everyday too. Those ones dont drink daily at all. Infact they limit themselves to only drinking friday night and saturday night. All though the otehrs would wnt them to drink and would nag on them too and pressure them they know not to and the keep it that way. I think that is very responsible and very great thing to do. It takes a lot of self control. I admire them for that.

That is very good.  I think you have to be really comfortable with yourself and positive, to know that you'll have a good time regardless.  I'm usually the one who struggles once in a while.  Others, I can calmly say no thanks and still have a great night.  The key is to stay consistent and set boundaries for yourself and stick with them.

I think once you learn how to have fun once or twice without drinking, you get used to it. So its to where you really don't need alcohol to have fun with the others around you at all. All of my friends drink except for me. I like to keep a drink with me, like a red bull or a soda while I'm at those parties just because when you don't have anything in your hand people notice more that your not drinking and keep trying to get you to drink. But all the people around me are so drunk and having fun that I feel like I can be just as crazy and they wont notice. I have just as much fun now sober as I would drunk. Honestly It's been soo long that I forgot the feeling of being drunk and it doesn't bother me at all. I have just as much fun as my drunk friends, pluss I feel better than them the next day :)

I think the cost of alcohol has a huge affect on whether people buy it or not. Studies have shown this over and over again when the price of alcohol increase sales decrease. I think there are ways around this though. People can go to a restaurant and go to their Happy Hour or even buy cheaper alcohol.