Help

[Thomas777]

Hi, I had a question. Last night I drank a bit and found that I couldnt stop. I eventually started to get tipsy and drunk or lightly drunk. I am not even legal age. I said to myself that I would never do this again. Is this a mortal sin? what should I do.

 

[Trishie]

Firstly, as you didn’t intend for this to happen, you didn’t commit a mortal sin, but you would be culpable if you drink again…for two reasons, one, you’re underage, two, you now know it may be unhealthy and dangerous for you to drink alcholol. You may be unable to tolerate it, as is the case sometimes.

Thomas, you do need to speak to a priest, or a counsellor, or a doctor, and explain exactly what occurred. You would be inadvisable to drink again, as what you described could mean you have genetics that mean even a single drink is an out of control situation for you. Your admission that you “couldn’t stop” is a serious flag. I take it you were drinking by yourself, you do not say. Drinking alone is also a concern.

Please do seek advice from a trusted professional, because you don’t wish to ruin your life and I don’t want you to either. You may be someone who needs to develop a very strong resistance to peer pressure, and to indeed “never do this again”.

I will keep you in my prayers. Please take care of yourself, Trishie

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Confirming what Trishie wrote, a trustworthy priest said (in an adult religious education setting) that getting drunk is a mortal sin. (Being taken by surprise by the effects of alcohol can be a mitigating factor the first time; but now that you know you are unable to control yourself, you are responsible for your decisions in the future.)

One reason it is considered a serious sin is that it can endanger yourself and others, as noted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.

Another important reason mentioned by the priest is that when we drink to excess, we lose control of our faculties, and leave ourselves vulnerable to make decisions dangerous to our immortal souls. (For example, we may make ourselves more likely to commit sins of a sexual or violent nature.)

Trishie’s advice is sound. You should nip this in the bud.

 

[Timothysis]

Thomas777,

Alcohol can be the source of a lifetime of misery. You would be wise to not invite it…just some friendly advice.

 

[Joe_Brown]

It wasn’t that I couldn’t stop, it was that I wanted more. That was the worst experience in my life. This has happened before. Now since I have been informed I wont be trying that again.

 

[Joe_Brown]

Should I receive communion today?

 

[rwoehmke]

It wasn’t that I couldn’t stop, it was that I wanted more. That was the worst experience in my life. This has happened before. Now since I have been informed I wont be trying that again.

Sounds familiar. I used to drink on occasion and sometimes I would get to a “tipping point” where I just didn’t care to stop. I was just tipsy enough that I would not make the right decision and quit. I stopped drinking alcohol about 30 years ago and don’t miss it at all. I found I have even more fun cold sober. When others are having a drink, I do soft drinks or non-alcoholic beer( It is surprisingly tasty and fills that need for a “cold one” on a hot day.). My family on both sides had quite a few alcoholics which led to a lot of misery for spouses and children. I am not against alcohol for those who can handle it without getting potted, but just recognize my own limitations. In some European Countries a single beer puts some people close to the legal blood alcohol level which over there is much lower thahnn in the states. I think a good rule for the average person is no driving after having more than one drink. As an EMT I peeled too many drunks off the inside of their windshield or worse.