Alcohol Use Disorder

[RileyG]

Can those with AUD commit a mortal sin by drinking?

 

[Michie]

Can those with AUD commit a mortal sin by drinking?

Yes indeed!

 

[Chrystal-J]

The only thing I can think of is this passage: 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18).

 

[RileyG]

Thanks for your responses

 

[Michie]

Question:​

When is drinking alcohol a mortal sin?

Answer:​

Abusing intoxicating drink is a grave sin if it deprives the drinker of the use of reason. This means that the drinker no longer has the freedom necessary to deliberate responsibly about what he should do or not do. Of course, in order to be a grave sin the excessive drinking has to be deliberate, not simply a surprise based on lack of foresight. In this latter case the intoxication would be a venial sin.

It is important to remember that even if gravely wrong actions (fornication, violence, etc.) performed while intoxicated were not freely willed in themselves, they were willed in their cause—namely, deliberate drunkeness—and so the drinker is responsible for them as though he had chosen them deliberately.

There are other aspects of drinking that may be sinful; for example, its impact on the health of the body. For neglect of bodily health due to drinking there has to be a grave physical danger to which the drinker is knowingly exposing himself.

Further, there are the requirements of civil law. The blood alcohol limit established by law is much lower than actual gravely sinful intoxication, but it is the point at which some reflexes may be so impaired as to make driving unsafe. Ignoring these laws can easily be grave matter also, even if the driver is not strictly speaking drunk.

When Is Drinking a Mortal Sin?

Drinking is not inherently evil, but once someone reaches a certain level of intoxication, they may have abused alcohol to the point of mortal sin.

www.catholic.com

 

[RileyG]

Question:​

When is drinking alcohol a mortal sin?

Answer:​

Abusing intoxicating drink is a grave sin if it deprives the drinker of the use of reason. This means that the drinker no longer has the freedom necessary to deliberate responsibly about what he should do or not do. Of course, in order to be a grave sin the excessive drinking has to be deliberate, not simply a surprise based on lack of foresight. In this latter case the intoxication would be a venial sin.

It is important to remember that even if gravely wrong actions (fornication, violence, etc.) performed while intoxicated were not freely willed in themselves, they were willed in their cause—namely, deliberate drunkeness—and so the drinker is responsible for them as though he had chosen them deliberately.

There are other aspects of drinking that may be sinful; for example, its impact on the health of the body. For neglect of bodily health due to drinking there has to be a grave physical danger to which the drinker is knowingly exposing himself.

Further, there are the requirements of civil law. The blood alcohol limit established by law is much lower than actual gravely sinful intoxication, but it is the point at which some reflexes may be so impaired as to make driving unsafe. Ignoring these laws can easily be grave matter also, even if the driver is not strictly speaking drunk.

When Is Drinking a Mortal Sin?

Drinking is not inherently evil, but once someone reaches a certain level of intoxication, they may have abused alcohol to the point of mortal sin.

www.catholic.com

Thanks for the resource!

 

[Michie]

Thanks for the resource!

You’re welcome!

The Catechism of the Catholic Church advocates the virtue of temperance which “disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine,” (CCC, 2290). It also says: “The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life.

Matthias - Patron Saint of Alcoholics | Catechetical Centre

Matthias is the patron saint of persons who are struggling with any form of addiction (whether to alcohol or anything else)Matthias preached that the Holy Spirit will empower people to exercise self…

catecheticalcentre.org

 

[Michie]

A more moderate response here:

The Communion of Saints and the Consumption of Alcohol

After the recent publication of my book Drinking Wit...

www.catholic.com

 

[RileyG]

I just ordered that book!

 

[Michie]

I just ordered that book!

Nice! Let us know what you think!

 

[RileyG]

Nice! Let us know what you think!

I have a ton of books to read. Hopefully, I'll read that one first if it is "light reading."