You know, you really have to be living in another planet, not to recognize that alcoholism is a big problem in this country.

What is even more distressing is the rise of alcoholism among teenagers.

The Surgeon General of the United States Office said that there are about 20.7 million middle schoolers who drink at least once a

week. There are 67 millions in America who have had to cope with alcoholism in one form

or another. The economic cost alone of alcoholism is well over $200 billion a year.

50% of college students admit to being binge drinkers.

Drunk driving is responsible for 20,000 deaths every year and 300,000 injuries to say nothing of how many diseases that are directly

related to alcoholism. Now, I know people give all sorts of excuses and all sorts of reasons for

why they get intoxicated. Some say that they like the feeling of being out of control. Others say that

they like this opportunity to temporary forget their sorrows and their pain and their anxiety and

their fear. But the problem, my beloved friends, is this, that temporary escape leads to worse problems. Temporary escape never permanently solve any of the

problems. This temporary escape hinders a person from dealing with the very root of the problem.

In fact, it multiplies the problem. Let me read to you what a member of the problem. In fact, it multiplies the problem. Let me read to you what a member of the

AA have said, because he really put it better than I can, or anybody else can for that matter.

He said, I drank for happiness. I became unhappy. I drank for sociability. I became argumentative. I drank for sophistication. I became obnoxious. I drank for friendship. I made enemies. I drank for sleep. I awakened without rest. I drank for strength.

I felt weak. I drank for relaxation. I got the shakes. I drank for bravery. I became afraid. I drank to make conversation easier.

I slurred my speech. I drank to forget. I was forever haunted. I drank for freedom. I became a slave. I drank to erase problems. I saw them multiply.

I drank to cope with life, and I invited death. I could not have put it better myself.

A dear friend of mine who, as they like to call themselves,

recovering alcoholic, told me, he said, for years, I believed the lie that I could not live without that

drink. And once I realize that's a lie, God gave me victory. Beloved, that's exactly why the Apostle Paul in Ephesians chapter 5, I hope you turn to it already.

Versus 18, 19, 2021.

...