påverkad

Påverkad is a Swedish adjective meaning influenced or affected by something. It can describe a state caused by external factors such as weather, medicine, social circumstances, or substances like alcohol and drugs. The word derives from the verb påverka ("to influence" or "to affect") and is formed as the past participle, giving a neutral, descriptive sense rather than a value judgment.

When applied to people, påverkad most often signals impairment or altered behavior due to a substance or emotional state: "Han var påverkad av alkohol" (he was under the influence of alcohol) or "Hon var påverkad av receptbelagda läkemedel" (she was affected by prescription medicine). In non-substance contexts it can simply mean "influenced by" or "affected by," as in "marknaden är påverkad av räntorna" (the market is influenced by interest rates).

In legal and safety discussions, the phrase frequently appears in reference to driving or operating machinery: being påverkad is a condition that can carry safety risks or penalties depending on the jurisdiction and the substance involved. The term is used broadly across media, health, and policy to denote impairment or influence rather than a fixed diagnosis.

Related terms include "påverkan" (influence, impact) and, in more specific contexts, "berusad" or "full" for drunkenness. "Påverkad" remains a neutral descriptor suitable for describing temporary states caused by various factors.