by Steve Hale
"Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise" ( Proverbs 20:1, NKJV).
What is America's number one medical problem? The experts tell us alcoholism.
Notice the following:
1. Nearly 18 million adults are problem with 10 million drinkers in America, of these considered to be alcoholics.
2. Alcohol is a factor in nearly half of all murders, suicides, and accidental deaths.
3. Alcohol claims at least 100,000 lives a year-25 times as many as all illegal drugs combined.
4. The cost of treatment for alcoholism and its related disorders is nearly 15 percent of the national health bill about $117 billion a year.
5. Two out of three high school seniors have consuined alcohol in the past month, and about 5% drinks daily.
6. One in four families have had alcohol-related problems. (Tribune Media Sources Inc., copyright 1991-1993.)
Is this something we want to make more accessible to our community? This problem has resulted in more than 1000 treatments centers in the country!
There is no question that alcohol abuse dangers the liver, brain, stomach, and the heart. Medical exexperts believe the more alcohol that is consumed, the greater the damage. Other studies are underway, one of which is to see if alcohol abuse causes breast cancer in women.
The exposure to alcoholics has effected the behavior years later of even adult children. Wayne Kritsberg, in The Adult Children Of Alcoholics Syndrome points out the roles played by an alcoholic family:
1. The Hero. Tries to make the family look good by achieving success at school or work.
2. The Scapegoat. Diverts attention from the family by getting into trouble.
3. The Lost One. Hides our, tries not to make waves, draws attention by non-presence."
4. The Clown. Lessens family tension by being funny and cute.
5. The Placater. Tries to reduce conflict in the family by smoothing things over.
6. The Enabler. Prevents the alcoholic from experiencing the consequence of his or her behavior. (p. 26).
Brothers and sisters, let's send a powerful message for the mental and physical well-being of our loved ones by opposing liquor by-the-drink Feb. 27!