Treatment For Alcohol Use And Addiction
Alcohol and troubles associated with it have been around for centurieslong enough to be included in the Bible. While the Bible contains clear messages warning against alcohol use, its not always easy to implement that in your life.
Today, millions struggle with alcohol addiction treatment. Its still one of the top substances of use in the United States. Fortunately, recent decades of evidence-based research have led to methods that are actually effective in treating alcohol use.
Treatment for heavy drinking or prolonged alcohol use may require tapering through detoxification. For this reason, and for the withdrawal period that comes after, inpatient rehab centers are the best options for treatment.
Inpatient rehab centers can provide the support you need to get your life back, and to get sober. Expert medical staff and encouragement in therapy and counseling will help you achieve success in healing.
If you have struggled with alcohol use for some time, and want a new, sober life, today could be the day that healing begins. For help with treatment options, call us today at .
So It Is Okay To Drink Alcohol
You still have to follow the laws, my friend, so underage drinking is NOT OK. ⺠However, when you are of legal drinking age, there is nothing in the Bible that forbids a Christian from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. There are even verses that talk about alcohol in positive terms. For example, Ecclesiastes 9:7 says to “drink your wine with a merry heart.” Psalm 104:14-15 says that wine is a gift from God “that makes glad the heart of men.”
Bible Verses Prohibiting Drunkeness
Over-indulgence of anything is sinful, especially alcohol. The Bible is clear about not drinking to the point of drunkenness. When you indulge in too much alcohol, you give way for the enemy to take advantage of your vulnerable state which can cause you to sin even more.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious.envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these thingsas I warned you beforethat those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19, 21
For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 1Peter 4:3
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The Bible Warns That Drinking Is Often Dangerous And Unwise
The Bible contains lots of warnings about how tempting and dangerous it is to get involved with alcohol. A wise mother told her son, “It is not for kings, O Lemuel – not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.” And Solomon, one of the wisest men whove ever lived, said, “Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.”
These Bible passages suggest that it is often wise to totally stay away from alcohol since it can be a difficult thing to control. Alcohol can easily seduce you, and before you know it, it controls you. How many girls have had a few drinks and then ended up in bed with a strange man? How many adults have had a few drinks and then ended up in a serious car accident?
These situations are all too common. God is looking out for you when He warns you about the dangers of alcohol and drunkenness. Getting drunk causes you to lose control of yourself and do things – dangerous things – that you wouldnt do if you were sober.
I think it is possible to live a godly life and enjoy a small amount of alcohol. But the person who chooses not to drink at all also lives a godly life, as long as he does it without condemning those who do.
Bravo to those of you who take some time to seek Gods will about drinking and prepare yourselves for the future.
What Are The Side Effects Of Alcohol
There are many side effects of alcohol, which can depend on a persons age, weight, sex, and health. Some short-term side effects of alcohol consumption include headache, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
Alcohol can also have long-term side effects such as liver damage, heart disease, and pancreatitis. It is important to note that alcohol affects people differently, so while some people may be able to drink without any problems, others may experience adverse effects even after just a few drinks.
There are also many dangers associated with drinking too much alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to drunkenness and intoxication, which can cause harm to oneself and others. Drunkenness can lead to accidents, fights, and other harmful or dangerous behaviors. It can also cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and other organs.
In addition, drinking too much alcohol can be addictive and lead to alcoholism. Alcoholism is a serious disease that can ruin lives and destroy families. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, it is best to speak with your doctor or a medical professional.
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What Does The Bible Say About Alcohol
We all have to make our own decisions about what is morally right and wrong in this world. Most of us would agree that some of the consequences of abusing alcohol, like drunk driving, are wrong. But what about the act of drinking? Is it immoral for people to drink?
This is a question not easily answered, as people have different reasons and sources for their beliefs. Many people look to the Bible as a source of life guidance and for a system of beliefs and values. However, there are many interpretations of the Bible and its verses.
So, what does the Bible say about alcohol? First, it doesnt expressly forbid drinking. It does, however, warn against the use of alcohol. If you need help, seek out an alcohol addiction treatment program today.
The Example Set By Jesus
If you are not already aware of it, you may be surprised to learn what Jesus Christ did and said regarding alcohol. He is the ultimate example for Christians to follow. He taught and set a perfect example by doing things that are righteous, proper and good. And He taught against and avoided everything that is harmful and sinfuland never sinned Himself . So what was His example regarding alcohol?
Jesus performed numerous miracles over the course of His earthly ministry. The first recorded miracle took place during a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. Perhaps the host did not plan well, or perhaps more guests arrived than were expected, because they ran out of wine before all the guests had been served.
At His mothers insistence, Jesus had servants fill six stone pots with water and He then caused that water to become the finest wine . Verse 11 tells us this was the beginning of the signs He did, and His disciples believed in Him because of it.
Some have claimed that the water was turned into grape juice or some other nonalcoholic beverage. But the original Greek word used here is oinos, which is the general word for wine and it implies fermentation . The language God inspired to be used shows that Jesus first recorded miracle was that of creating an alcoholic beverage for a wedding.
It is never recorded that He or His disciples actually drank too much. Jesus Christ always displayed the proper, balanced use of alcohol and if it is used that way, it is not a sin.
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The Bible Sometimes Portrays Alcohol As Something Good And Enjoyable
Jesus first miracle involved turning water into wine for a wedding celebration. Psalm 104 says, “He makes grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivatebringing forth food from the earth wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.”
Bible Verses About Drinking In Moderation
These Scriptures show that drinking is not a sin. If used wisely in moderation, alcohol can be a good thing.
1. Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go ahead and enjoy your meals as you eat. Drink your wine with a joyful attitude, because God already has approved your actions.
2. Isaiah 62:8-9 The Lord has sworn by His right hand and by His strong arm, I will never again give your grain as food for your enemies Nor will foreigners drink your new wine for which you have labored. But those who garner it will eat it and praise the Lord And those who gather it will drink it in the courts of My sanctuary.
3. Psalm 104:14-15 You make grass grow for cattle and make vegetables for humans to use in order to get food from the ground. You make wine to cheer human hearts, olive oil to make faces shine, and bread to strengthen human hearts.
4. Isaiah 55:1 Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters! Also, you that have no money, come, buy, and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk without money and without price.
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Bible Verses That Condemn Heavy Drinking
Although the above verses condone moderate alcohol consumption, they dont condone heavy drinking, getting drunk, or becoming addicted to alcohol. In fact, numerous Bible verses condemn such behaviors. These verses include:
- Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit
- And envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God
- Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks
- Wine is a mocker, and beer a brawler whoever is led astray by them is not wise
- For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags
- Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy
- Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money
- Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good
Is It A Sin To Drink Alcohol
Some Christians think it is perfectly fine to drink alcohol, while others believe it is sinful to partake. Which view is correct?
Alcohol consumption is a tough topic, because it is associated with both joyful and tragic situations. People go to weddings and special events and see those in attendance lifting glasses of champagne in celebration. Try finding a Super Bowl party where alcohol isnt part of the festivities. Commercials, advertisements, social media, movies, and television heavily promote beer, wine, and liquor as means to having a fun and active social life.
On the other hand, everyone reading this most likely knows someone who has been hurt in some way because of alcohol. You may live with an alcoholic or know someone who does. You may know a family whose relative has died in an accident caused by the consumption of alcohol. I personally have experienced both of these situations.
What does the Bible have to say about the topic of alcohol use? Many Christians completely abstain from consuming any alcohol, since they believe Scripture declares it to be sinful. Others point to the fact that Jesus not only drank wine, but he also made wine at a wedding in Cana where the host had run out of his own supply in the middle of the celebration. Jesus own mother, Mary, actually brought the situation to his attention .
One Bible verse that clearly supports the intake of alcohol is the apostle Pauls admonition to Timothy to drink wine for health reasons:
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Too Much People Are Addicted To Alcohol
I know people who are literally killing themselves and I know people who died in their sleep in their mid 40s because of alcoholism. Its a terrible and sad thing. You will never be addicted if you dont try it. You might say Im strong enough to handle it, but many people who died thought the same thing.
17. 2 Peter 2:19-20 promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
18. 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
Dont Be A Stumbling Block
If youre with others who struggle with the temptation of drinking too much, you shouldnt drink alcohol around them. Dont be a stumbling block to others.
All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall, .
Our company influences us . Dont allow yourself to be a bad influence on others.
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Arguments Made In Defense Of Social Drinking
#1: There is no verse in the New Testament that specifically forbids drinking in moderation. All the verses address only the subject of drunkenness. There are many things that are not specifically condemned in the Scriptures that are still wrong. Using heroin is not specifically condemned, but who is going to argue that since the New Testament does not command people to abstain from heroin, its use must not be forbidden? A lot of things in the Bible are forbidden in principle, but many believe that is not the case with drinking! Someone might ask, Where does the Bible specifically forbid drinking? The answer is, In every verse where it forbids drunkenness.
At first glance this may not be readily apparent, so lets illustrate this point. In Ephesians 5:18, the King James Version says, And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess but be filled with the Spirit. The phrase Be not drunk is translated from the Greek root, methusko. That word means: 1) to begin to be softened, Youngs Analytical Concordance 2) to moisten, or to be moistened with liquor, and in a figurative sense, to be saturated with drink, S. T. Bloomfield 3) to grow drunk , E. W. Bullinger. Methusko is an inceptive verb. It is a word that marks the process of becoming drunk. What Paul is actually saying in Ephesians 5 is, Do not begin the process of becoming drunk. When a person consumes alcohol, he is beginning to be softened and intoxicated.
If A Believers Does Drink He Should Be Very Careful
Can you imagine trying to witness to others while drinking a beer? An unbeliever will look and say, that just doesnt seem right. You might not understand how it causes others to stumble, but it really does affect people.
In the past I have caused others to stumble on my walk of faith because of my free will. I told myself, I will be mindful to not cause others to stumble again. I will not hurt someones weak conscience. If we do choose to drink, we should be very careful to wisdom and consider others.
23. Romans 14:21 It is a noble thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother stumble.
24. 1 Corinthians 8:9-10 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idols temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols.
25. 2 Corinthians 6:3 We put no stumbling block in anyones path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.
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Is Drinking Alcohol A Sin In Christianity
Alcohol isnt inherently sinful. Im under the belief drinking is fine as long as its done in moderation. I believe this is what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches getting drunk is a sin.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God, .
This passage demonstrates that those who make a habitual practice of these things are not saved. In particular, it lists drunkenness as one of these works of the flesh.
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindlernot even to eat with such a one, .
This passage tells us that were not even supposed to associate with a professing Christian if they practice these things habitually and dont repent.
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, .
This verse clearly states not to get drunk with wine. This doesnt mean we can get drunk with other types of alcohol though. We need to read the Bible as a whole and not isolate one verse when forming beliefs.