By L.A. Williams
Christian Action League
April 5, 2024
How much do you know about alcohol, alcohol use disorder and the impact that it has on health and society? April is Alcohol Awareness Month and an opportunity to educate yourself and others on the inherent risks associated with alcohol consumption and the importance of making informed choices regarding its use, says the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, researchers estimate that there are more than 178,000 alcohol-related deaths in the United States each year, making alcohol a leading preventable cause of death. Further, alcohol misuse is associated with more than 200 disease and injury-related conditions. Alcohol plays a role in more than 7 percent of all emergency room visits and costs the U.S. some $249 billion each year. Drunk driving crashes alone cost $68.9 billion, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
Despite the overwhelming statistics and the fact that the Bible has plenty to say about alcohol, Creech said the issue has been neglected in the church, leaving many of God’s people without needed guidance.
“I recall an instance when a Wesleyan pastor invited me to deliver a sermon on alcohol at his church. Following the service, several congregants expressed gratitude for shedding light on the subject, revealing that it was the first comprehensive sermon they had heard addressing it,” he said.
Because the effects of individual behaviors reverberate throughout society, anyone who reduces the complex issue of alcohol use to a simple matter of personal responsibility is engaging in profound oversimplification, Creech explained.
“Debates regarding the morality of consuming alcohol may persist, but a candid examination of the alcohol trade reveals an industry that Christians cannot morally support,” he said. “Countless studies over the years have unequivocally demonstrated the detrimental impact of alcohol on physical health, mental well-being, family stability, governmental integrity, crime rates and societal financial burdens.”
Creech urged believers across the state to take time out during Alcohol Awareness Month to explore the links on the NIAAA page for up-to-date information on alcohol use, and to visit the CAL site for alcohol related articles specific to North Carolina.
“By actively promoting awareness, extending support to those grappling with alcohol-related challenges, and emphasizing the tangible risks and harms associated with alcohol consumption, we can foster healthier and safer environments for all,” he said.
