How much alcohol is too much?

[phoenixrrt62]

In the US, medical personnel recommend that men limit their alcohol intake to 2 drinks a day, and women to 1 drink, with food.
Considering that alcohol kills with greater frequency than any other drug, these are probably good recommendations.

I was going to say that, you beat me
You really have to think about any medicine you are taking, as well. Some can heighten the effect of alcohol…for instance…the antidepressant I take (Wellbutrin) lowers the seizure threshold-and doubles the effect of alcohol, and if I drink, it’s going to really affect me-basically one drink is like 2 or perhaps 3. Generally, I don’t really drink at all…occasionally I will have a mixed drink or some wine, is all.

DK why it would be a sin in itself, though…but you are abusing your body if you drink too much, and your social inhibitions are lowered, which could be a problem.
I drank to excess in the Army. Not good. I learned my lesson well…

 

[Arkadin]

Drinking with the intent of getting drunk is, I believe, a serious sin. You are saying that you are willing to give yourself up for the sake of some pleasure. Your judgment is not quite there, if at all…Also, you are destroying your health and risking other serious harm to yourself and/or others.

Not good.

I think a good rule is to know your limits. If you are drinking and start feeling something, then it is time to put it down. If your friends are making fun of you for not drinking excessively or are pressuring you into drinking, then they are most likely not friends you should have.

I had a drinking problem for a little over three years. My ex-girlfriend finally told me straight up I have a problem and quit immediately. I stopped drinking for six or so months. When we broke up and I moved back home, a bit later I had a drink. I was able to control my drinking. Though at a low point, I was drinking to get a buzz. However, that stopped shortly. I don’t drink much now and rarely have one now. When I do drink, it’s one glass of wine or two…maybe three beers. Hard liquor…just a little bit if at all now.

I was always careful due to the risk of alcoholism which is in my family. When I fell from my faith, I gave into partying. It was not good. I did a lot of stupid things, and I am surprised I never got seriously hurt for my foolish actions.

I also don’t like most bars…blegh. My city once held the record for most bars per capita…

 

[Coder]

…If you are drinking and start feeling something, then it is time to put it down…

Hi, I question that.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=27086&highlight=alcohol

When we are taught that moderate drinking is OK does this also include that the effects of alcohol in moderation are OK?

(Certainly I understand that we should not drink to the point of vomiting and inability to reason and not functioning e.g. difficulty speaking/walking. And also it is very important not to drink and drive.)

 

[Arkadin]

I don’t believe that truly puts my quote and thought into question, but solidifies it.

If you are beginning to feel the effects of alcohol, then it is prudent to stop drinking. Isn’t that moderation? Know your limits and enjoy.

If your purpose of drinking is to have some sort of feeling, then it might be good to question your reasoning to drink. I believe drinking in moderation is to simply avoid the effects of alcohol, so if you are beginning to feel the effects on accident, then it is not necessarily a sin. Just be prudent next time and avoid any more consumption at this current point so the effects won’t become greater.

The link that Bookcat posted is pretty good in explaining, I think.

catholicreference.net/index.cfm?id=33231

Maybe I’m confused by your question. Are you asking if it is okay to feel the effects of alcohol (typsy, buzz, somewhat out of it) as long as it is done in moderation? I would say it is not and that it is sinful. Venial or mortal? I originally thought venial, but I wonder if it would be considered mortal. To be safe, I would avoid it entirely. Drink alcohol, but be smart and prudent.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Maybe I’m confused by your question. Are you asking if it is okay to feel the effects of alcohol (typsy, buzz, somewhat out of it) as long as it is done in moderation? I would say it is not and that it is sinful. Venial or mortal? I originally thought venial, but I wonder if it would be considered mortal. To be safe, I would avoid it entirely. Drink alcohol, but be smart and prudent.

I’m wondering how anyone can drink at all and NOT feel the ‘effects’ of alcohol.

 

[Arkadin]

Well, I’m referring to the point where you start feeling a bit tipsy or buzzed. It’s when the effects are starting to become noticeable.

 

[Bookcat]

Here: this is when it is sin…when mortal etc.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=6590646&postcount=13

 

[Coder]

Interesting thanks but still have question about this. The articles refer to loss of senses/reason and inability to distinguish right from wrong. I agree that is (obviously) sinful. However the article also refers to (venial) excess wherein these losses of reasoning don’t occur. So how are these excesses defined? Is a mild effect in a safe environment such as at home without loss of reason a sin? After all, sugar and coffee can effect us even a meal can make us “feel” better. Would appreciate further discussion about this.

 

[kbwall]

I like to drink occassionally, and I usually get mildly drunk. I’ve only gotten so drunk that I threw up and couldn’t remember what I did once (and it’ll never happen, not only is it a sin, but it’s kind of dangerous). I never, EVER drive when drunk.

The kind of drunk I like is the level that is definitely past the driving limit (alway have a DD), get slurred speech and inhibitions lowered, but I’m still in control. So far, I’ve never been in any position where losing my virginity was even close to happening, so I’m safe there.

 

[Steel_Pinwheel]

I’d say you want to stay somewhere between a 2 and a 3 for your own safety and enjoyment.

I agree. You’re drinking too much when it contributes to illness or actions that you might regret. But, a mild buzz is fine.

 

[AMagdalene]

St Thomas says " Drink to the point of hilarity."

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Well, I wonder why drink it if you are not planning to feel any effect? I mean, most alcohol in whatever form is pretty nasty, really. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, so physiologically it can relax us, or, if you are already depressed, make things worse. If there was no effect, people wouldn’t drink the stuff.

 

[kbwall]

I mean, most alcohol in whatever form is pretty nasty, really.

No, alcohol tastes pretty good actually, you just have to know what to get, and some of them take some getting used to. Personally I thought beer was pretty nasty at first too, but it’s grown on me. Wine you have to ease into as well, red wine such as merlot can have a pretty potent taste if you’re new to it, might want to start off lighter if you’re new. Hard liquor, I agree on you there for the cheap stuff. If you’re in it for taste, you’re going to have to spend some money, as most cheap liquor doesn’t taste very good. Mixed drinks are also pretty good, provided the mixer knows what they’re doing and they have good ingredients.

You also have to take into account that taste in alcohol is like taste in anything else. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean nobody else will.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

No, alcohol tastes pretty good actually, you just have to know what to get, and some of them take some getting used to. Personally I thought beer was pretty nasty at first too, but it’s grown on me. Wine you have to ease into as well, red wine such as merlot can have a pretty potent taste if you’re new to it, might want to start off lighter if you’re new. Hard liquor, I agree on you there for the cheap stuff. If you’re in it for taste, you’re going to have to spend some money, as most cheap liquor doesn’t taste very good. Mixed drinks are also pretty good, provided the mixer knows what they’re doing and they have good ingredients.

You also have to take into account that taste in alcohol is like taste in anything else. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean nobody else will.

If you have to mix stuff into the alcohol to make it taste good, doesn’t that say something?? And once the effects of the alcohol kick in, then the bad taste goes away and you can drink more because your inhibitions are reduced.

Alcohol is actually a poison to us, but it has such a pleasant effect that we keep using it. For some people, it’s really deadly and causes them to progress toward death a lot more quickly. It doesn’t make any logical sense to drink alcohol but then we also do things like smoke, so…

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

At the wedding feast at Cana, Jesus didn’t turn water into fruit juice.

 

[kbwall]

If you have to mix stuff into the alcohol to make it taste good, doesn’t that say something??

Not really. Are ketchup and butter bad just because they have to be with something in order to taste good? Alcohol adds a special taste to mixed drinks, and it tastes pretty good IMO. Daiquiris taste different than regular slushies, wine is different than fruit juice, etc.

And also, I didn’t say mixed drinks were the only good alcohol. Some types of alcohol can taste pretty good by itself.

And once the effects of the alcohol kick in, then the bad taste goes away and you can drink more because your inhibitions are reduced.

True, but you don’t lose complete control instantly. If you don’t want to be completely drunk, then you can still stop, even if your inhibitions are lowered and your tolerance for disgusting flavored drinks has risen.

Alcohol is actually a poison to us, but it has such a pleasant effect that we keep using it. For some people, it’s really deadly and causes them to progress toward death a lot more quickly. It doesn’t make any logical sense to drink alcohol but then we also do things like smoke, so…

I’ll partially agree with you there. Alcohol is pretty good if used in moderation, but alcoholism is a very bad thing. Some people just shouldn’t drink. Doesn’t mean it’s bad for everybody though.

And yes, while it technically is a poison that is bad for your health, it’s not that bad if used in moderation. Lots of things are pretty bad for your health if used in gluttonous excess, such as fast food, and as you mentioned, cigarettes. I’m not sure, but I think cigarettes are a lot worse for your health than alcohol. In any case though, if you’re choosing to abstain from things for health reasons, then more power to you.