Is alcohol a problem in your life or the life of someone you know or love? You may feel unsure or reluctant to see or admit that there may be a problem, whether in your own life or the person you love. But, left unaddressed the consequences will be devastating if not deadly.
- Approximately 14 million Americans-7.4 percent of the population -meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism. (SAMHSA)
- More than 18% of Americans experience alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence at some time in theirlives. (NIAAA)
Maybe someone has tried to talk to you about your problem, but you denied it tohis face while inside you are asking yourself, "Do I have a problem with drinking?" Taking time to read through the rest of this article along with the list of possible signs will help you to find the truth. Be honest with yourself as you think about each thing.
- Alcohol abuse alone costs the United States over $185 billion in health and crime-related costs as well as looses in productivity.(NIAAA)
- More than one-half of American adults have a close family member who has or has had alcoholism. (SAMHSA)
Possible signs that I or a loved one may have an alcohol problem:
- Can't ever say no to a drink.
- Drinks daily.
- Drinks a lot when he drinks.
- Drinks alone.
- Craves alcohol and will stop at no cost to get it.
- Hiding alcohol or keeping it in odd places.
- Responsibilities, including his job, are often neglected or ignored because of being drunk or having a hangover.
- Can't start the day without a drink.
- Loss of interest and participation in all other activities, social, relational, recreational, etc.
- Lack of attention to personal hygiene and appearance.
- Health problems including inability to fight infections or heal quickly.
- Mood swings including depression or .
- Forgetfulness, short and long term.
- Frequent family arguments.
- Often the spouse has made excuses to hide his drunkenness or a hangover from friends or an employer.
- May disappear for several hours or a few days with no explanation.
- Experiences withdrawal symptoms when he doesn't get it.
Some mild symptoms of alcohol withdrawal: irritability, anxiety , nervousness, inability to sleep, clammy skin, shaking hands, headache, sweating, nausea, rapid heartbeat.
Maybe you are reading this because you are concerned about someone you love. Almost every person has a family member or friend that has a problem with alcohol and you have stood by and watched helplessly or even suffered along with the abuser. The abuser is most often totally unaware of the wake of suffering he leaves in his path. Addiction takes its toll physically, emotionally, relationally, and financially on the addict and those around him. Parents, spouses, and other family members must begin to be honest and not cover-up and deny the problem. Reviewing the list of possible signs will help with assessing your situation.
When a person first begins to drink it may be for enjoyment, because it makes them feel good, but then they begin to crave the "good feeling" and want it more often. Because the tolerance increases, the individual requires even more to experience the "high". Eventually the individual needs to drink just to feel normal. He can no longer say no.
The Biblical Solution
The first step is to stop denying the problem. It can never be addressed if it is not confessed. But it is often "the elephant in the room" that everyone knows is there but no one dares mention. It may require an intervention by family, friends and/or an employer. With an intervention the concerned individuals caringly confront the addict as a group. This must be done in love with the intent of getting the individual to seek help. Each individual shares their love and concern along with the details of one or two very specific instances when the individual's drunkenness was observed and how it affected him and the others involved with the incident. Hearing repeated incidents by each individual, the addict begins to see the pattern and knows that he can no longer hide.
Most addicts will not make an attempt to change until they are confronted by the painful consequences of their addiction. That is why it is important that family members not "enable" their addiction by suffering the costs and consequences of the addiction for the addict. As an example, if I feel the pain when you touch the hot stove then you will not stop touching the hot stove. You must feel the pain when you touch the hot stove so you will learn not to touch it. The addict must experience the pain of the negative consequences of his irresponsibility associated with his addiction. In Luke 15 we read of the prodigal son. He found himself in the pig pen and it says in verse 16 "...and no one gave him anything." Immediately following that statement it says in verse 17 "But when he came to himself.." "..and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself." (ESV) There was no one to bail him out of his problems. He was suffering the consequences of his irresponsibility and it brought him to his senses.
The addict must take responsibility. His behavior is no one's responsibility but his own. He makes the decisions about what he puts into his body. No one can be blamed for another person's decisions and actions.
Maybe your family and friends have talked to you and they have stopped bailing you out. It is not because they are trying to be mean. It is because they love you and they want to see you get help.
Freedom from alcohol addiction is not easy but it can happen. God can set you free. It will require:
- Being honest about the problem with God and other key people in your life.
James 5:16 (ESV) "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed."
1 John 1:9 (ESV) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
- A willingness to allow others to help you.
As Christians we are "the body of Christ". That is, we are a team. We all need each other whether we have an addiction or not. We were not meant to live to this life alone.
- A willingness to be accountable to others.
- Determination in the face of obstacles and setbacks.
- Most importantly it will require a faith in and dependence on God.
There is Hope!
God wants you to be set free. As you are honest, confess your weakness and seek to grow in relationship with Christ freedom will come. First and foremost is putting Christ first in your life and seeking to love and follow him. He will make a way!
Life Application
1 Corinthians 6:8-12 (NIV) "9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
Pretty tough sounding passage of scripture but it is also a passage filled with promise. Notice the little word in verse eleven that is used four times, "were". That is past tense! By surrendering to God and following him, one day at a time and one step at a time he can set you free.
It is not enough just to stop doing drugs. That is not the answer. Like a computer that has crashed, we need to reboot and reprogram. It must start with a spiritual "reboot", that is a restored relationship with God. Then you need to "reprogram" you mind and heart. You do this by learning to think, believe and behave according to God's Word. That is a process.
Romans 12:2 (ESV) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, ..."
Take a quick look at this chart of steps to recovery. I find it interesting that a chart on steps to recovery from addiction indicates the steps of basic discipleship that all of us must take. Pray and ask for God's strength and courage then step out in faith and take the first step. Ask God to bring godly friends into your life to walk this journey with you.
There are many great books, Christian counselors, small groups ministries and other resources to help you on your journey. Contact your pastor, a Christian counselor or search the links below for help.
Additional Resources
Teen Challenge
Over 200 locations across the U.S. offering long term residential Bible based recovery services for men, women, and adolescents.
www.TeenChallengeUSA.com
Living Free
Small group church based ministry for individuals struggling with life-controlling problems.
www.LivingFree.org
Celebrate Recovery
Small group church based ministry for individuals struggling with addiction.
www.CelebrateRecovery.com
Lifeline Connection
Small group church ministry for individuals struggling with addiction.
www.LifelineConnection.org
For Further Reading:
Intervention: How to Help Someone Who Doesn't Want Help by Vernon Johnson
Present Day Miracles by Dave Batty (Special section on enabling)