5 Reasons to Stop Drinking Alcohol Today

Occasional drinking is not harmful in itself. However, one drink a night can lead to several drinks a night, which can easily lead to addiction if not careful. Alcohol addiction can wreak havoc on every aspect of a person’s life, deeply affecting their families, marriages, health, and finances, as well as other areas.

However, a person can stop drinking alcohol if they are rightly motivated. If they are motivated by fear or love, they will more likely act upon it than not. Sometimes, people who drink too much don’t realize the devastating effects it has on other people until it is brought to their attention.

5 Reasons to Stop Drinking Alcohol

Here are five reasons to stop drinking alcohol today.

1. Health

Your physical, as well as emotional, and mental health, can be deeply affected by too much alcohol. Aside from negative effects on their weight, excessive alcohol consumption causes cirrhosis of the liver, damages kidneys, and can cause other organs to shut down completely. People have died from the devastating effects of too much alcohol.

If someone close to you drinks excessively, take them to the doctor to get a complete checkup. Include blood work in the mix. Allow a doctor to speak to them about their levels and see whether drinking is causing too many issues with their health.

Their liver enzymes will be high, the white and red blood cell count will be affected, and the functionality of their kidneys and other organs will also appear in the blood work. Regardless of what happens, let them know you are serious and that a doctor’s orders are essential to follow.

2. Finances

The price of alcohol has skyrocketed since COVID. Many people drank excessively during that time because of fear. People didn’t know what was going on in the world and drank to cope. People still spend too much money on alcohol. By quitting alcohol consumption they could save all that money they were spending on alcohol.

Stop spending money on alcohol and save that money for other expenses or memorable vacations. You may be surprised at how much the funds you spend on alcohol can be used for other things to lead you to a true, more productive, and whole life you can enjoy.

Many people who drink too much alcohol spend money in secret. This secrecy can have a detrimental effect on their relationships. Others may not know that the money is being spent that way. Make the people around you aware of how you’re spending your money.

If you find you’re spending too much money on alcohol, stop buying it. Allocate that money for a different purpose. Put it to better use so that you don’t feel like you’re losing out by not having alcohol.

3. Spiritual Life

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit… – Ephesians 5:18, NIV

The Bible warns about drinking too much alcohol. God wants us to look at life with sober judgment, not in a drunken stupor.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV

Our body is a temple, and drowning it with alcohol can only lead to devastating effects in every aspect of life. Ask God for His help to kick this habit. The power of the Holy Spirit means that there is always hope. Start by reducing one drink a day until you’re down to none. Don’t quit cold turkey – your body may crave it, making you experience withdrawal symptoms. You may not have fully realized the effects alcohol has had on your body.

4. Relationships

That’s one of the ways alcohol will affect your life the most is through your relationships. A person who is drunk all the time, passed out, or not able to do the simplest of tasks places strain on relationships with spouses, children, or other family members.

A person can turn angry or belligerent if they are drunk. This causes them to say things they wouldn’t usually say if they were sober. These words and actions can have devastating effects on the people around them.

People who love you will have a hard time watching you stay drunk all the time. Furthermore, your actions may cause embarrassment or shame to the people around you. If you are someone who does silly things or says things out of context when you’re drunk, this can have serious and harmful effects on all your relationships.

Being the person you promised your spouse you would be is essential. When you took vows at the altar, you promised to love, honor, and cherish your spouse. You may love them, but you’re not honoring or cherishing them when you spend your life drunk.

You may find you fight more with them, which may cause you to drink more. However, it is essential not to run to alcohol when things get tough. Seek to work out your issues with your spouse and promise not to keep drinking.

Your children are also negatively affected by alcohol. Your children need a fully present parent. You may have to spend time working, but when you are home, you need to be fully present. Your kids need someone to play with them, teach them, and discipline them. They need two fully engaged parents, rather than you leaving your spouse to do the work alone while you’re constantly drunk.

Not only is this not a good way to have relationships, but it is also selfish. When you think only about yourself and your own needs, you are not focusing on your spouse and their needs. If that behavior continues, your spouse may wind up leaving you. If your marriage ends in divorce, you may only get to see your children for a limited time. Enjoy your kids while you have them. Be fully present, avoid alcohol, and avoid the devastating consequences it can bring.

5. Your Life

Every time you get behind the wheel while you’re drunk, you run the risk of getting into an accident and killing yourself or others. Your life is more valuable than one drink. Everyone believes they can handle it until they get behind the wheel. When someone pulls out in front of them, it is harder for them to react quickly than it would be if they were sober, because their reaction time is inhibited.

Your friends and family would miss you if you died in a car accident. Not only could you die in a car accident, but you could also have lesser accidents while you’re drunk, such as stumbling and falling. When you fall, you can injure yourself or others.

Your health, finances, relationships, and spiritual life can all be at risk if you drink too much excess. Think about others and allow yourself to love yourself enough to stop drinking. When you do, you let other people love you in return.

Christian Counseling to Quit Drinking

At California Christian Counseling, we offer professional treatment for chemical dependency. If you need support and a customized plan to help you stop drinking for good, reach out to our office today to schedule your initial appointment.