Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1004
Heavy Social Drinkers Show Brain Damage
by Larry Ray Hafley
That was the headline in the Houston Chronicle, April 15, 2004, 2A. "Heavy social drinkers show a pattern of brain damage similar to hospitalized alcoholics-enough to impair day-to-day function....Brain scans show clear evidence of damage, and tests of reading, balance and other functions show people who drink more than 100 drinks a month have problems, researchers said." A drink is usually defined as a serving of spirits, a four ounce glass of wine, or a bottle or can of beer. So, anyone who has a little more than 3 glasses of wine or 3 cans of beer per day is a heavy, social drinker.
Everyone knows that drinking is not good for one’s health. The brain and the liver are especially vulnerable to the ravages of alcohol. A pregnant women who drinks damages the brain and body of the baby in her womb.
Alcohol is a drug. It is amazing that many who fight hard against dope, who decry the evil effects of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, are silent about the use of alcohol. From a strictly human standpoint, that is inconsistent at best and hypocritical at worst.
Despite the personal and social consequences of alcohol, the worst thing about it is that it will keep one out of heaven (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21). Do not be deceived by ads that pose alcohol as essential to having fun. "Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise" (Prov. 20:1).
