Drinking in Sweden?

Okay, let me first say that I've read about Sweden, I'm learning Swedish, and so far from everything I've heard I love Sweden, but seeing as I am planning on going to college there, there are some bad things I've heard about it that I'd like to investigate a little. I've heard that in Sweden, being a part of the "Vodka Belt", when people drink, they usually don't do it for social reasons or for the taste, but for the sole goal and purpose of getting completely drunk. That getting completely smashed is acceptable in their culture, and that at company Christmas parties everyone from the head boss to the janitor gets drunk, which is not just accepted but expected? (I read that on Francis Strand's blog, Learn Swedish in 1,000 Difficult Lessons) I'm really not into the entire concept of alcohol and getting drunk and I'd like to avoid it as much as possible. So is this stuff about Swedish drinking habits true, or are the Swedes really not much more into alcohol than the Americans?