What Does the Bible Say About Drinking?

Excessive drinking, or drunkenness, is a common theme in the Bible and is consistently a topic of concern amongst the writers of the Old and New Testaments. As we recognize Alcohol Awareness Month in April, let’s take a look at some of what the Bible has to say about the overconsumption of alcohol. 

What is Drunkenness?

Drunkenness is defined as drinking alcohol to a level of intoxication or in excess. This was a common issue during the times that the Bible was written because of how readily available alcohol was. Often, clean drinking water was a challenge to acquire, but alcohol helped remove some of the impurities in the water. As such, wine was often consumed at gatherings, and the overconsumption of alcohol became an issue seen throughout society as is seen in the writings of the Old and New Testament. This was such a common concern that multiple writers across scripture covered the topic.

Drinking in the Bible

One of the main reasons for the continual acknowledgement of the issue of drinking is because of the effects this can have on your spiritual life. Ephesians 5:18 says, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” Our spirits have a natural desire to be filled, and the things of this world can easily come before God. By allowing our time and resources to become consumed by alcohol, we leave no room for the Spirit of God to move in our lives. Choosing to drink and become drunk creates a temporary feeling that attempts to replace the need we have for God, but God is truly the only thing that can fulfill us.

The Bible also issues many warnings about engaging in a lifestyle of drunkenness. Because of how common the overconsumption of alcohol was, this became part of a large number of people’s daily lives. The book of Proverbs is known for the wisdom and guidance it provides and has provided for those throughout history. Proverbs 20:1 addresses the issue of drinking in a way that would have been hard to argue with. It says, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” Too many have been overtaken by the desire to drink, especially to the point of becoming drunk, and Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, warns those who allow drinking to become any source of guidance or influence on their lives that this will only lead them astray.

  

Writers in the New Testament continued to see this issue prevail in their society, so many used their writings to discuss this topic as well. Galatians 5: 21 says, “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.” No longer is this an issue of “good” or “bad” choices; Paul argues that a lifestyle of engaging in drunkenness can prevent someone from spending eternity with God. While, ultimately, Jesus will make judgements on who can enter the Kingdom of God, this is a strong warning and something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. 

Avoiding a Lifestyle of Drinking

Because of the prevalence of drinking in society both during Bible times and today, it can be challenging to not engage in this culture. This becomes even more of a challenge when our closest friends and family are participating in excessive drinking practices. To help set yourself up for success, here are a few tips on how you can pursue a lifestyle that avoids drinking:

1. Surround yourself with people who are supportive of your choices. Whether these people choose to pursue a life without drinking or not, it’s vital that you have a support system who will encourage you to maintain your commitment. 
2. Find alternative hobbies and activities you enjoy. One of the biggest challenges people face when living a sober lifestyle is feeling left out of the social aspects related to drinking. Spend some time finding activities that don’t involve drinking, such as bowling, fitness classes, or hiking, and bring friends along who can enjoy these with you.
3. Find your “why”. Understanding why we are making the lifestyle choices we are provides a foundation for long-term success. Spend time seeking out more of what the Bible says about drinking and it’s impacts to solidify your rationale for a life without drinking. 

Help for Alcohol Addiction

If you’re struggling with overconsumption of alcohol or an alcohol addiction, there is hope for you. You are never too far gone to make the decision to change, and Celebrate Hope is here to help. Our faith-based alcohol addiction rehab helps you build a life of recovery on the foundation of Christ and his forgiveness. If you’re ready to take the next step in receiving help for your addiction, contact us today. 

What is Wet Brain? Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

You’re probably familiar with some of the most common health problems caused by ongoing alcohol misuse. These include cirrhosis of the liver and certain forms of cancer. However, there are other, lesser-known conditions catalyzed by a lifetime of heavy drinking. Learn the symptoms, causes, and treatments of wet brain, or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

 

Alcoholic Definition

First, it’s important to understand how medical professionals define alcohol use disorder. A person with this condition does not know when they should stop drinking. They also lack the ability to quit long-term, even if their alcohol use causes problems at work or at home.

 

Symptoms of alcoholism include:

• Drinking when it is inappropriate or dangerous
• Becoming unable to regulate the amount of alcohol consumed
• Stashing alcohol in various places (to be consumed in secret)
• Feeling irritable, nauseated, or shaky when unable to drink
• Developing a tolerance

An estimated 15 million American adults have an alcohol problem – that’s over 6% of the population. Each year, the World Health Organization estimates that 3.3 million global deaths occur as a result of alcohol use. A number of these individuals probably suffer from wet brain.

 

Wet Brain

Wet brain is a shorthand for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Sometimes, it’s referred to as Korsakoff’s psychosis or alcohol-related dementia. It occurs when someone drinks for a long time and develops a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. As a result, various structures of the brain are damaged, including the hypothalamus and the thalamus. This means that individuals with this condition are at risk of memory problems and lifelong brain damage.

 

People with drinking problems experience wet brain because alcohol prevents the body from properly absorbing vitamin B1, also called thiamine. Thiamine is a coenzyme that is crucial to the function of the brain’s metabolism. Without it, the body’s levels of acetate, citrate, acetylcholine, and alpha-keto-glutarate are dramatically lowered. That causes metabolic imbalances, which catalyze neurological complications and cell death.

 

A vitamin B1 deficiency results in two concurrent pathologies that combine as one syndrome: Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome.

 

Wernicke Encephalopathy

This degenerative brain disorder is characterized by low blood pressure, hypothermia, vision problems, and even going into a coma. The three hallmark symptoms to look out for include:

• Ophthalmoplegia – Paralysis of muscles around or within the eye,
• Ataxia – Losing control of one’s movements, resulting in a stagger or tremors, and
• Confusion – Delirium and disorientation.

If your loved one begins to complain about feeling mentally muddled, if you notice that they have developed tremors, or if they exhibit abnormal eye movements, they may have entered this first phase of wet brain syndrome. An estimated 90% of individuals with Wernicke encephalopathy will go on to develop Korsakoff syndrome.

 

Korsakoff Syndrome

The other half of wet brain is Korsakoff syndrome, which can be very upsetting for sufferers and their families. Its symptoms are:

• Memory problems – Memory loss and inability to remember new things,
• Hallucinations – Seeing and hearing things that are not there, and
• Changes in mental acuity – Inventing events when they cannot remember, becoming disoriented and confused, and exhibiting changes in personality.

Family members usually pick up on this stage of wet brain after years of seeing their loved one abuse alcohol. For example, a parent may become easily frustrated and difficult, while also making up stories or lying. However, the alcoholic may not even realize that they have these symptoms.

 

The psychotic aspect of this condition is called Korsakoff psychosis, which is a type of dementia characterized by amnesia, changed behavior, and hallucinations.

 

Treating Wet Brain

If caught early enough, it is possible to reverse the effects of wet brain. However, if left untreated, symptoms often persist to the point of disability. This is why doctors refer to Wernicke-Korsakoff as a “potentially reversible” condition. The two steps to recovering from this disorder are:

• Seeking appropriate medical care for thiamine supplementation (usually high doses provided intravenously), and
• Addressing the person’s underlying alcohol use disorder.

Abstaining from alcohol is a critical component of stopping the progression of wet brain. For those who have been drinking heavily enough to develop this condition, this is not something that should be attempted without support. Alcohol detox can be painful and potentially life-threatening. This is why it is recommended that people seek rehabilitation in a supervised setting.

 

Celebrate Hope provides a Biblically rooted, Christ-centered approach to healing. From our homey facility in Orange County, our staff provides a compassionate and restorative environment for those in need of treatment. We offer medical detox, residential and outpatient services, gender-specific programs, and long-term care. To learn more about Celebrate Hope, we invite you to contact our admissions team. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have about treatment for alcohol use disorder, wet brain, and more.

Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Alcohol Use

Alcohol is legal for adults over the age of 21 to use, even though it is responsible for more than 88,000 deaths per year. The toll the substance takes on families and society is enormous. Still, most people look fondly upon an opportunity to drink at the end of a long day or week.

Less than 100,000 alcohol-related deaths may not seem like much in the grand scheme of things. However, more people succumb to illnesses linked to alcoholism than that of opioids. Globally, 3 million lives are lost due to hazardous alcohol, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports. It is a staggering number, and the exact figure is substantially higher in all likelihood.

While most developed nations have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, finding solutions to the problem is not simple. The legal status of drinking makes it challenging to tackle alcohol-related issues like addiction. Most states, counties, and cities lack the resources to assist everyone who drinks hazardously.

Addiction treatment and recovery services are wanting in many parts of the United States. The same is valid internationally. The WHO believes that they can offer some guidance in addressing the harmful use of alcohol. The organization has developed a global strategy to help nations reduce morbidity and mortality due to alcohol use.

How to Address the Social Consequences of Alcohol Use

“The WHO global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol seeks to improve the health and social outcomes for individuals, families and communities, with considerably reduced morbidity and mortality due to harmful use of alcohol and their ensuing social consequences. It is envisaged that the global strategy will promote and support local, regional and global actions to prevent and reduce the harmful use of alcohol.”

The organization focuses on ten specific areas of policy options and interventions at the national level. They include:

1. Leadership, awareness and commitment
2. Health services' response.
3. Community action.
4. Drink-driving policies and countermeasures.
5. Availability of alcohol.
6. Marketing of alcoholic beverages.
7. Pricing policies.
8. Reducing the negative consequences of drinking and alcohol intoxication.
9. Reducing the public health impact of illicit alcohol and informally produced alcohol.
10. Monitoring and surveillance.

At the heart of the organization’s plan is raising awareness and putting an end to stigmatization. They encourage nations to implement policies that will increase access to alcohol use disorder screenings and treatment services. Developing strategies that prevent easy access to alcohol by vulnerable and high-risk groups is also essential.

Countries that increase alcohol prices can reduce underage drinking and episodes of heavy use, according to the strategy. Moreover, it is vital that each new policy is monitored to determine which initiatives are successful.

If you would like to read more about the WHO global strategy on alcohol, please click here.

Faith-Based Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment

At Celebrate Hope, we specialize in the treatment of alcohol use disorder; our team relies on a combination of faith-based principles and evidence-based modalities. Those who are able to adopt certain practices can turn their lives around completely.

Please contact us today to learn more about our compassionate, faith-based addiction programs and services.