This substance abuse, like tobacco, can start in the teen years for various reasons. In fact, survey results from the National Institute of Health indicate that 28.6 percent of the 12th graders and 40 percent of the college students reported binge drinking. Again, “binge drinking” is defined as five or more drinks on the same occasion. Surveys reveal that binge drinkers can down as many as six to nine drinks in one setting. Binge drinking is even more prevalent in the 20s and 30s, and it peaks at the age of 35 to 44—a time associated with the peak strain of life. Alcohol poisoning from binge drinking—a medical emergency that results from acute high blood alcohol levels—is a reality. Since it affects the central nervous system, it causes a loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, body temperature comas, respiratory depression, and possible death.

Without knowing God, life becomes more of a burden and overwhelming. When people do not know God and do not experience answered prayers—a relationship with God and getting all of their problems solved—they find themselves escaping and coping with alcohol. Just as it is in most dependencies or substance abuses, most people do not know that they have a problem. Over the years I have found that most people think that no one sees their stronghold, their sin, their vice, but it is quite the opposite. People are polite, but they know pretty quickly if you are overdrinking, involved in an affair, greedy for wealth, etc. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

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