The case in summary • Addiction counselor Tommy Sjåfjell believes that many people opt out of Christmas parties at work because of alcohol, which can lead to loneliness and alienation.• He encourages a discussion about working life and alcohol, and points out that alcohol use is not a private matter when it affects the environment .• Between 5 to 8 percent of the adult population in Norway have harmful use or are dependent on alcohol, which corresponds to between 175,000 and 350,000 people.• Skagerak Energi has not considered making the Christmas table alcohol-free, and sees alcohol as a pleasure drug that elevates a good meal.• Psychologist Fanny Duckert believes it is important to have good alcohol-free alternatives and activities that reduce the focus on drinking at Christmas parties. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – For some, it is painful to opt out of the Christmas table. This can lead to an even greater degree of loneliness and alienation. That’s according to special adviser Tommy Sjåfjell, who works with drug problems at the competence center Korus Sør. He says that some who may need the Christmas table, do not seek it out because there is alcohol there. And preferably a lot of alcohol. He believes that we must dare to discuss working life and alcohol, even if it is a torch to ask people to refrain from drinking alcohol for the sake of others. – We see all alcohol use as a private matter, but it is not when it starts to cost the environment, the healthcare system, relatives and children. Tommy Sjåfjell works in the drug field and believes that alcohol-free Christmas parties could become an important meeting place. Photo: Gry Eirin Skjelbred / news Sjåfjell points out that there is a difference between a private party and a Christmas party organized by an employer. Because then the Working Environment Act still applies. As a former drug addict, he stays away from events because alcohol is served. He also avoids people who drink alcohol. – I’m afraid of being triggered, of feeling the urge, and I don’t want to put myself in a situation where I’m tempted. Is it a good idea to have an alcohol-free Christmas party? Yes, I think there is far too much focus on alcohol at the work Christmas party No, it is going far too far in terms of consideration for individuals Show result One in ten feel excluded Sjåfjell knows he speaks on behalf of many others in the same situation. More than one in ten Norwegian employees avoid going to social events in a work context because of alcohol use, according to a survey carried out by FHI. An equally large proportion experience pressure to drink and feel excluded due to the use of alcohol in a work context. Christmas dinner is a tradition that stands strong in Norway, and often a lot of alcohol is served. Photo: Kelsey Chance It is also estimated that between 5 and 8 per cent of the adult population in Norway have harmful use or are dependent on alcohol. This corresponds to between 175,000 and 350,000 people. – In addition, there will probably be many who from time to time have various health problems and/or have social problems as a result of their own alcohol use without having an alcohol use disorder. So says Ingeborg Rossow, senior researcher at the Department of Drugs and Tobacco at the Institute of Public Health. Not considered alcohol-free Christmas party Skagerak Energi will have a Christmas party at the beginning of December. Then the around 700 employees in Vestfold and Telemark will be invited to a festive party and be served beer and wine, but no alcohol. They have not considered making the Christmas table alcohol-free. – This is something that must be taken seriously, but at the same time, for most people, alcohol is not an intoxicant, but a pleasure drug that elevates a good meal, says communications manager Thor Bjørn Omnes. Communications manager Thor Bjørn Omnes at Skagerak Energi says they have Christmas parties with alcohol, but under controlled conditions. Photo: Gry Eirin Skjelbred / news He hopes no one stays home from the Christmas table because alcohol is served. – We emphasize that it should be accessible and attractive to everyone. We must have good alternatives for those who do not want alcoholic beverages. Should the Christmas table be alcohol-free? Sindre Thoresen Lønnes / news Tone Beate Evensen – Alcohol can make us dare to be more ourselves and relax from everyday life. But it can be a lot, and some take a little extra. I think it must be up to each individual company to know its employees. Sindre Thoresen Lønnes / news Tron Olsen – I would probably have some alcohol on the Christmas table. Beer and aquavit belong, but getting drunk is something else. I think enjoying yourself with a glass is perfectly fine. Sindre Thoresen Lønnes / news Inger Marie Iversen – It’s nice to have a glass. But if there is more than that glass, you can say things that shouldn’t be said. It also depends on which workplace you have. If there is someone who cannot tolerate alcohol then I think we should all be in solidarity and not have alcohol. Not a free bar, but dancing and quiz Fanny Duckert has a doctorate in the treatment of alcohol problems, and is a professor of psychology and a specialist in psychology. She is not a fan of extreme solutions. We easily end up in the other ditch if we don’t allow alcohol, she believes. – In Norway, we often see things in black and white. It’s either alcohol or no alcohol. Psychology professor Fanny Duckert believes that it is important that something more happens than just sitting and drinking at a Christmas party. Photo: Stig Jaarvik / news Duckert believes we can learn from abroad where no one has to figure out their own relationship with alcohol. It is important to have good alcohol-free options throughout the evening, she says. In addition, she strikes a blow for activities that reduce the focus on drinking, such as quizzes, competitions and dancing. There should also not be a free bar, and preferably no alcohol. The amount of alcohol must also be limited. – In addition, the bosses must keep their alcohol intake in order. They are still bosses at the company’s Christmas party.
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Think more people should consider alcohol-free Christmas parties – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
