Alcoholism

ALCOHOLISM

Background:

Habitual use of alcohol often can result in addiction. The drinker's inadequacies, faults and problems become intensified, and often personality changes result. Though feeling confident when under the influence of alcohol, the person is often immature, insecure, insensitive to others and afflicted by guilt and depression. The person does not feel good about themselves, especially when they are trying to sober up the next day and having to meet with the reality that their lives are becoming or have become out of control. They soon realize that they do not control the addiction to drink, but rather, their addiction to drink soon controls them, their lives, everything.

Because the person who has an alcoholic addiction, (no matter if the addiction is life consuming are just a strong desire to be in that environment - and addiction is still and addiction not matter how great or small one may think of it) seldom face their problems which this alcohol creates, so that person soon denies that they have a problem at all.

The drinker is dishonest in their attempt to cover up the alcoholic and will blame family members, their boss, parents, job, mate, kids, friends, their life, the society in which they live in, etc.... the bad breaks they have had in their life. The deviousness and pretense lead to a masquerade in life that at times assumes almost comic, though tragic, overtones.

Alcoholics desperately need help and will seldom do anything on their own to get the help that they need. Alcoholics Anonymous maintains their belief that until alcoholics hit rock bottom, admitting their life is out of control, there is little hope of any long term change.

Admitting that there is a problem is the first step on the road to recovery. Only three out of every ten people make it out of recovery centers who never return because they were able to overcome their addiction to drink.

There is hope. There is God. God is able to deliver anyone from alcoholic addiction and tendencies to drink.

Many who drink soon add other stimulates to their lives like tobacco, drugs, sexual extremities. Anything that will help to get that next high or low feeling.

Counseling Strategy:

1. If the inquirer is drunk or on a "high", any counsel is lost time -- a conversation with the alcohol and not with the person is not only futile but can even become counterproductive for the alcoholic. Arrange a meeting (or have the person telephone the following day) when they are sober and they are able to reason with in themselves.

Example: what good is it to talk about the dreams that you had last night if you can not remember them? What good will it do you to take a test at school over a subject that you know nothing about? Like wise, what good can you do with a person who is drunk when the next day they will remember nothing about your conversation nor any words of hope that you may have given them the night before.

You can not counsel a person out of their addiction, the desire to change has to come from them. All the counseling in the world will be futile unless the person themselves desire to have a change in their lives. A change to take control of their own lives. To become once again in control of making their own happiness.

If the next time you meet with that person that they are out of control, get them to a detox center as soon as possible. If they have telephoned you, ask that they surrender the phone to another person who has not been drinking to get that person to a detox center.

2. Because alcoholics are often dishonest and deceivers ( con artists ), the counselor must evidence a {TOUGH LOVE) n dealing with them. Ask if that person really "WANTS" help or did they call just to "BLEED ON YOU" or to give you a "SNOW JOB". Did they call to just blame to blame others, blame things, blame people, or to hide their real self and their problems?

In taking a TOUGH stance, avoid being judgmental and DO NOT censure them about the Bible texts, ( the texts will come out naturally as you present the Gospel).
Assure them that the are in touch with the right person because you care and that you are glad to speak with them ( unless they are drunk ). If they are drunk you job is not to counsel but get them to a detox center so that they can sober up in order that you can really help them the next day.

3. Emphasize that they must admit that they have a problem and that they can not cope wit hit. That they really do want to get their lives back. The alcohol is much bigger than that person and that person can not deal with it alone.

Ask them the question - point blank "ARE YOU WILLING TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO QUIT FOR GOOD?

So important to the steps to recover is this:
They must STOP the masquerade once and for all. The person is personally responsible for their condition and their problems. They are the solution because they are the only ones who can make their own decisions for themselves.

4. When the person is able to think clearly, might be the time to ask them if they have ever asked the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Savior and to live His life in them. Let them know that Christ went to the cross specifically for them in order to SAVE them and to CHANGE them.

5. Return to the reasoning of point number three above:

A. They must never again use alcohol. Living one day at a time, they must learn to TRUST God's promise in regarding TEMPTATION.

(Prov 4:15 KJV) Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

(Deu 29:6 KJV) Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God.

(Isa 28:7 KJV) But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

(Prov 20:1 KJV) Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

(1 Cor 10:13 KJV) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

(2 Cor 5:17 KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

(John 8:36 KJV) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

(Prov 28:13 KJV) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

(1 John 1:8 KJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(Isa 26:3 KJV) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

(Prov 3:5 KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.(6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

B. The person MUST sever ALL relationships that keep them enslaved to the pattern of behavior.
(1 Cor 15:33 KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
(1 Cor 15:33 NIV) Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

C. The person must establish NEW relationships quickly.
Seek out a local church, local Alcoholics Anonymous or other support groups. Many are listed in the local phone books, school offices, and many are registered with the local hospitals and doctor clinics.

Go to a local Bible teaching church where one can worship, study the Bible and have fellowship which can also provide spiritual support.

D. Be honest with them in stating that they may have relapses, but all is not lost. Renewal may be sough on the basis of (1 John 1:9 KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Remind them that these five steps ( A through E) of Point number 5 must be practiced every day and that they are not an ultimatum, but an absolute daily life style now.

All the steps listed MUST BE PRACTICED EVERY DAY - ONE DAY AT A TIME - ONE STEP AT A TIME BUT EVERYDAY PRACTICED.

E. Pray with the person for deliverance from the compulsion and bondage that they are under, that they may experience the transformation of their mind, body and life by the power of God.
(Rom 12:1 KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Urge the person to cultivate a life of prayer. To set their goals to be happy and be in control of their lives. Help them to vision a life that is far better than what they have now.
Just start painting the picture of the new life and then hand them the brushes.
Let them start painting their own life. Face it, they are the only ones who can live their own life's. No one can do that for them.

(Prov 29:18 KJV) Where there is no vision, the people perish ....

6. If your inquirer is a Christian who has become an victim of alcohol, use the above steps, then share with the RESTORATION principles emphasized in (1 John 1:9 KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

7. In both cases, urge the person to seek further counseling from a qualified pastor or psychologist who understands alcoholism or chemical dependence. Many times it is necessary to deal with the underlying causes of the addiction, such a insecurity, guilt, failure, stress, deviate sexual behavior etc....

Other things to read

12 steps 12 prayers Check List

(Lev 10:9 KJV) Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:

(Num 6:3 KJV) He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

(Deu 29:6 KJV) Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God.

(Judg 13:4 KJV) Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

(Judg 13:7 KJV) But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

(Judg 13:14 KJV) She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.

(1 Sam 1:15 KJV) And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

(Prov 20:1 KJV) Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

(Prov 31:4 KJV) It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

(Prov 31:6 KJV) Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

(Isa 5:11 KJV) Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

(Isa 5:22 KJV) Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

(Isa 24:9 KJV) They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.

(Isa 28:7 KJV) But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

(Isa 29:9 KJV) Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

(Luke 1:15 KJV) For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

Back To Sermons At
www.LYITL.org/sermons