Not only, though, are there very obvious and blatant medical consequences to alcohol consumption, but there are social consequences as well. Homes are broken, money is wasted, and time is lost because of this evil and iniquitous vice. Both in this country and in the world over, this tool of the devil irreversibly damages lives. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University did a study in 2005 on alcoholism and alcohol abuse in the United States. They found that:
- Alcohol dependence and abuse cost the United States an estimated $220 billion in 2005. This dollar amount was more than the cost associated with cancer ($196 billion) and obesity ($133 billion).
- Every day in the U.S. more than 13,000 children and teens take their first drink.
- The 25.9% of underage drinkers who are alcohol abusers and alcohol dependent drink 47.3% of the alcohol that is consumed by all underage drinkers.
- Every year in the U.S. more than 150,000 college students develop health problems that are alcohol-related.
- The 9.6% of adult alcoholics drink 25% of the alcohol that is consumed by all adult drinkers.
- American youth who drink before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become alcoholics than young people who do not drink before the age of 21.
- Every year, 1,400 American college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related inadvertent injuries, including motor vehicle accidents.
- In the United States during 2004, 16,694 deaths occurred as a result of alcohol-related-motor-vehicle crashes. This amount was approximately 39% of all traffic fatalities. This amounts to one alcohol-related death every 31 minutes.
These represent but a few of the drastic social impacts because of alcohol use and abuse every year. It is likely that every single individual has been impacted by the consumption of another. Who among us did not know and love either a culprit or victim of drunken driving? Who does not know of at least one family that has been split in two because of the presence of alcohol within its otherwise pristine walls? The social impacts of alcohol consumption are far closer to home than some are willing to realize and admit.
However, even more important than the medical and social consequences of alcohol use are those that are spiritual. Even if alcohol did not damage the body a single bit, and even if it did not have devastating social impacts, it would still be wrong and unjustifiable because of the clear scriptural condemnation provided by God. The case for such condemnation was made above and proven by the documentation of numerous Bible verses. More could be readily provided that would conclude the same fact – we are to abstain. But given that fact, what spiritual consequences exist to the souls who ignore such warnings and partake nonetheless? Well, we must but ask the question, what occurs when we transgress God’s mandated law? We sin (1 John 3:4). When we willingly commit sin, to what position do we come? We reject the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf and the blessings we could receive (Hebrews 10:26). And of such guilt, we surely will be judged (Hebrews 10:30). Condemnation is the result of every soul who yields to the fiery liquid – they will be lost (Romans 3:23). Yes, it is that serious. Sure, society, directed by the devil, will try to downplay the gravity of alcohol consumption, but be assured that God takes this matter very seriously. He will not stand for those who willingly reject His authority and commandments, and thus they will face equally serious and eternal consequences.
-to be continued
-Andy Brewer
-Andy Brewer