Alcoholism as Sin

[stavros388]

Suppose someone comes from a long line of people who struggle with alcohol addiction, has a history of alcohol addiction, and confesses to the parish priest every time he or she gets"drunk". Suppose this person has a terrible time controlling his or her alcohol consumption and often, if allowed to get to the point of drinking four or more drinks, loses self-discipline, gets really intoxicated, sometimes ends up “blacking out”, and then wakes up with impure thoughts and inclinations, and with (vague) memories of saying and doing stupid (and sinful) things the night before.

Are there any special confessional circumstances or prayers that someone who struggles with alcohol addiction should know about? Should one with alcoholism, given to binge drinking and black-outs, confess all periods of drunkenness AND the sins that accompany these periods (as far as one can remember them)? Is there a line between where alcoholism is seen as an inherited and/or uncontrollable sickness (or terribly strong and oppressive addiction), and where it is SIN, plain and simple? Is alcoholism - or rather the act of “getting drunk” by someone who struggles with alcohol addiction - always seen as a mortal sin in the Catholic Church? Are the sins one commits when intoxicated, or caused by the intoxication of someone who has great difficulty controlling one’s drinking, just as sinful as the same sins committed by someone with a clear mind?

I am sorry if this post is muddled and difficult to follow… Any and all insights, resources, or suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

[pensmama87]

I recommend that people who are working to overcome their addictions have a regular confessor who knows that they are an addict.

I am in recovery from an eating disorder. Occasionally, I have to confess sins that are related to this disorder, but I am not sure of my level of culpability. To make sure I am not just trying to rationalize, I still confess them, but also mention to the priest that I do have an eating disorder (and that I had relapsed, or whatever, and mention - briefly - what other treatment options or support groups I am involved with at that time). I figure the Holy Spirit will help the priest guide me, and so far I have no reason to doubt that’s exactly what has happened.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

Alcoholism is not so much about one’s family history, nor the amount they drink, but what happens when they drink. The behaviors in the situation you laid out would indicate a problem. I would suggest that person would benefit from confessing that they have a problem with drinking and seeking help to stop.

If that person is not you, remember that pushing a drinker to stop drinking often does not work. Letting them know how their drinking effects you can, but be ready for your concern to not create change in the drinker.

Good luck.

 

[MaryT777]

 

[MaryT777]

I recommend that people who are working to overcome their addictions have a regular confessor who knows that they are an addict.

I am in recovery from an eating disorder. Occasionally, I have to confess sins that are related to this disorder, but I am not sure of my level of culpability. To make sure I am not just trying to rationalize, I still confess them, but also mention to the priest that I do have an eating disorder (and that I had relapsed, or whatever, and mention - briefly - what other treatment options or support groups I am involved with at that time). I figure the Holy Spirit will help the priest guide me, and so far I have no reason to doubt that’s exactly what has happened.

Well said.

 

[cmodrmac]

Alcoholism is a disease and has been recognized as such by organized medicine for over 40 years- as a Physician who works in the field of Addiction I have given a great deal of thought as to what patients suffering from this disease are responsible for-they are not responsible for the genetic makeup which they inherited -they are responsible for their decisions good and bad such as driving while intoxicated

however the disease of addiction ( pick what drug --alcohol or heroin or cocaine) has a STRONG SPIRITUAL COMPONENT -virtually all who are active int their disease suffer from spiritual poverty-disconnected from their Higher Power-the entire AA program is spiritual in nature

Their is a Christian based variant of AA called Celebrate recovery which allows people to invoke the name of Jesus rather that referring to a Higher Power-

My denomination has special prayers for those addicted -and is a safe place for those trying to regain their spiritual connection ( or develop one for that matter)

 

[stavros388]

I recommend that people who are working to overcome their addictions have a regular confessor who knows that they are an addict.

I am in recovery from an eating disorder. Occasionally, I have to confess sins that are related to this disorder, but I am not sure of my level of culpability. To make sure I am not just trying to rationalize, I still confess them, but also mention to the priest that I do have an eating disorder (and that I had relapsed, or whatever…

Makes good sense. Thank you for sharing.

 

[stavros388]

The behaviors in the situation you laid out would indicate a problem. I would suggest that person would benefit from confessing that they have a problem with drinking and seeking help to stop.

If that person is not you, remember that pushing a drinker to stop drinking often does not work. Letting them know how their drinking effects you can, but be ready for your concern to not create change in the drinker.

Good luck.

Thank you.

 

[stavros388]

Alcoholism is a disease and has been recognized as such by organized medicine for over 40 years- as a Physician who works in the field of Addiction I have given a great deal of thought as to what patients suffering from this disease are responsible for-they are not responsible for the genetic makeup which they inherited -they are responsible for their decisions good and bad such as driving while intoxicated

however the disease of addiction ( pick what drug --alcohol or heroin or cocaine) has a STRONG SPIRITUAL COMPONENT -virtually all who are active int their disease suffer from spiritual poverty-disconnected from their Higher Power-the entire AA program is spiritual in nature

The more I understand it, AA seems a most sensible route for a Christian alcoholic. I appreciate your insights on this, thanks.

 

[ChibiViolet]

The only thing of grave matter in such a situation for an alcoholic may be the fact that they had that first drink, and or got themselves deliberately into a situation where they were knew they would be more inclined to drink (like going to a bar), knowing they have this disease. The things a person does while so drunk they can’t even remember them and or can only vaguely remember are not truly sins even if they are of grave matter.

 

[InThePew]

The only thing of grave matter in such a situation for an alcoholic may be the fact that they had that first drink, and or got themselves deliberately into a situation where they were knew they would be more inclined to drink (like going to a bar), knowing they have this disease. The things a person does while so drunk they can’t even remember them and or can only vaguely remember are not truly sins even if they are of grave matter.

Even then, it’s important to remember that things like addictions interfere with our freedom to choose and thus diminish the level of culpability. That doesn’t of course mean that they shouldn’t take it to confession - if anything, the opposite is true. Ultimately, IMHO what matters for those who struggle with addictions is no so much what degree of gravity is assigned to their situation - since it’s all too easy to become legalistic or seek excuses - but rather that they take their struggle to confession each time it happens and, pensmama87 said, that they have a regular confessor who knows that they’re an addict and make sure that any other priests they confess to are aware of this.

 

[pensmama87]

Even then, it’s important to remember that things like addictions interfere with our freedom to choose and thus diminish the level of culpability. That doesn’t of course mean that they shouldn’t take it to confession - if anything, the opposite is true. Ultimately, IMHO what matters for those who struggle with addictions is no so much what degree of gravity is assigned to their situation - since it’s all too easy to become legalistic or seek excuses - but rather that they take their struggle to confession each time it happens and, pensmama87 said, that they have a regular confessor who knows that they’re an addict and make sure that any other priests they confess to are aware of this.

Yes.

People who are not addicts can be absolutely confounded by this because by the time the chance for a conscious decision comes, the groundwork has really already been laid for the addict to fail. The addict is working against altered brain chemistry that primes them to say “yes” when they should say “no.” Recovery is very difficult because it requires the brain to rewire itself. For a person who is an alcoholic or other drug user, this can take an incredibly long time (6 months and up, depending) simply because the substance itself has hurt the brain. Meanwhile, they are facing temptations constantly.

It’s not as easy as “don’t take the first drink.” For my recovery, I had to find new friends, new recreational activities, and learn an entirely new coping system that didn’t involve the disordered behavior, while my brain was going through withdrawal and “pinging” me going “hey. Hey. Hey!” I had to basically change my entire life. It’s hard. That’s not an excuse for me to continue the disorder, of course, but it’s not simply a matter of weak will. It goes much, much deeper than that.

(And I’m very sympathetic to alcoholics in particular because social gatherings are still incredibly difficult for me. People say and do things to you that invite horrible temptations but they don’t even know it. Yet becoming a recluse is going to backfire, too, because you end up so lonely and depressed that you go back to the behavior.)

 

[KD8TZC]

Suppose someone comes from a long line of people who struggle with alcohol addiction, has a history of alcohol addiction, and confesses to the parish priest every time he or she gets"drunk". Suppose this person has a terrible time controlling his or her alcohol consumption and often, if allowed to get to the point of drinking four or more drinks, loses self-discipline, gets really intoxicated, sometimes ends up “blacking out”, and then wakes up with impure thoughts and inclinations, and with (vague) memories of saying and doing stupid (and sinful) things the night before.

Are there any special confessional circumstances or prayers that someone who struggles with alcohol addiction should know about? Should one with alcoholism, given to binge drinking and black-outs, confess all periods of drunkenness AND the sins that accompany these periods (as far as one can remember them)? Is there a line between where alcoholism is seen as an inherited and/or uncontrollable sickness (or terribly strong and oppressive addiction), and where it is SIN, plain and simple? Is alcoholism - or rather the act of “getting drunk” by someone who struggles with alcohol addiction - always seen as a mortal sin in the Catholic Church? Are the sins one commits when intoxicated, or caused by the intoxication of someone who has great difficulty controlling one’s drinking, just as sinful as the same sins committed by someone with a clear mind?

I am sorry if this post is muddled and difficult to follow… Any and all insights, resources, or suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

As a recovered alcoholic of 5 1/2 years, I am praying for your friend. I know sobriety and a much better way of life can be achieved by bringing God back into your life. I agree with all the others have said and especially what the doctor says above about “spiritual-poverty”. I know when I was drinking, I prayed a lot (“Oh God, please help me…”) but I never let Him enter fully into my life. AA changed my life and allowed me to learn to be humble and to accept my disease. Acceptance my disease and allowing God into my life was the answer.

God bless and my prayers are with your friend. Feel free to PM me anytime if you need more information.

John