Alcohol—Problems and Solutions

When the world and even the church are giving in, how can we learn to say "No"?

One can hardly listen to the news today without being reminded that there is a war being waged against harmful drugs. How have these drugs affected the Seventh-day Adventist church? What are some of the results of alcohol use in American society? How can young people (or people of any age) deal with the pressures and temptations that come to them to use these enslaving substances?

Adventist Usage

There probably has never been a time when all members of the Seventh-day Adventist church have been completely free from the use of all harmful drugs including alcohol and tobacco. During prohibition days, one seldom encountered drinking of alcoholic beverages even in secular surroundings. A church member who was suspected of drinking or smoking was stigmatized and, even if the abuser could hide the practice from other church members, there was no question in his or her own mind that this practice was not acceptable.

The practices of the world have invaded the Seventh-day Adventist church in matters of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug usage. In a 1985 study,1 about one in seven academy-age students were found to have been involved with alcohol.

A 1988 study of adult Seventh-day Adventists indicates that only about two-thirds of the church membership believed that the Bible forbids the use of alcohol and other damaging drugs. Fourteen out of a hundred believed that, in their congregations, drinking alcoholic beverages was acceptable. A few were undecided about it. Over a quarter of the parents indicated that they believed their children were drinking. Drinking was cited as a cause of destructive forces in the family. Significantly, in families demonstrating a dynamic, personal, spiritual commitment with daily prayer and Scripture study, the drinking problem was almost nonexistent.2

Alcohol in the U.S.A.

Aside from the pain, violence, and destruction which drinking brings to the family, alcohol is costing the U.S. over 16 billion dollars a year in motor vehicle accidents. Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the nation's most serious public health and safety problems. On average, one motor vehicle fatality takes place every 22 minutes and one alcohol-related injury every minute. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading single cause of death for persons between the ages of 5 and 34. More than half of these fatalities are alcohol-related. Forty percent of all deaths of persons 15-19 are alcohol-related.3 Yet the beer and wine industries are spending over one billion dollars a year on television and other commercial advertising which has a definite influence on young people.4

Worldwide, the death rate from tobacco is equivalent to the crash of twenty jumbo jetliners every day, and in the United States alone 390,000 Americans die annually from smoking.5

Awareness Needed

Are we aware of the abundant counsel in Scripture and in Ellen White's writings concerning the dangers and harmful results of alcohol and other drugs and stimulants? Unless we fortify our minds with the Word of God and study the counsel entrusted to this church by God, we will not know God's will and purposes for us. We cannot teach and influence our children in the way God would have us live. Nor can we warn the world of the dangers of drugs to health, life, and eternal destiny.

We should avoid even the occasional use of life-destroying drugs. We teach our children in many ways. They learn from observation, exhortation, instruction, the example of significant adults, relationships with peers, and (often painful) personal experience. By precept and example, they must be guided to shun sin, to choose right, and to form habits of right thinking and living. But how will they know what sin is unless we have a standard, one which we consistently uphold?

The purpose of the ten commandments is to point out what sin is. Does alcohol use violate the commandments? Alcohol impairs the judgment and lowers inhibitions, making one more susceptible to committing sin. Furthermore, alcohol taken into the human system destroys brain cells, which are never regenerated. Thus alcohol intake is slow self-destruction, violating the sixth commandment.

How Children Learn

Children at an early age mimic the behavior of those about them. This is why a consistent example from parents and other adults is so important. Children's discrimination develops as they grow and interact, and internalize all that they observe, hear, taste, smell, feel, read, watch and explore through contacts with parents, teachers, friends, and others.

As the children become able to think for themselves, they must be guided to reason from cause to effect, to examine their thoughts, motives, actions, responsibilities, and the consequences of the choices they make. This developing process continues through the growing years. Thoughts lead to actions, actions to habits, and habits to character. Character determines eternal destiny.

It is not only the children who are at risk. Satan is working in many ways to capture people's emotions and energies in these days. He knows his time is short. He seeks to control the avenues to the soul through the mass media, advertising, education, peer pressures. He mixes the good and the bad to entice and confuse. Unless one is constantly studying God's revealed Word and seeking divine guidance from the Holy Spirit, one may be swept away by Satan's devices.

Yet Satan will see that we come under pressure. Young people especially may need to be taught strategies for dealing with the pressures others bring upon them to do wrong. Nothing will substitute for a decision to do right, by God's grace. But having made the decision, how can a young person handle peer pressure?

Useful Strategies

Sometimes, just saying "No" is sufficient. But many times that is not enough. When several are trying to pressure one person to do wrong, it may be necessary for that one to leave immediately. Good excuses sometimes are helpful: another appointment, something our parents want done right away, or just remembering something that calls for immediate attention. Then the young person should leave without hesitation and with determination.

Other ways to reverse peer pressure include ignoring those who try to control us. Changing the subject by suggesting something better is often effective. One can act shocked that a friend would even consider such an unheard of thing, or make a joke out of it: "You don't think I would be that foolish when I have the whole world at my fingertips?" One can sometimes change the pressure by flattering the person that they are too smart to take a little sip that could unbalance their superintelligent mind. An ideal strategy is to suggest an alternate activity which would really be good and satisfying, and even helpful to someone who would appreciate it. If none of these suggestions work, one can challenge the person with "What's the trouble with you, are you afraid to do it by yourself?"—and then walk away from the trouble.6

Parents, teachers, educators, and pastors have a duty to instruct those under their influence to act in such a way that their lives will be a blessing to others, an honor to God and a satisfaction to themselves. God's ways are always the best ways. He has made us and He desires that our lives may be full and rewarding. Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs destroy the image of God in man. By example, instruction, and illustrations let us live to bless others and help them live righteously also.