Drinking Too Much – The Effects on the Family During the Holidays
Well I must get on my recovery soap box about Alcoholism and over indulging during the holidays, I simply cannot help myself so I’m going to have to jump up there for just a minute before the holidays. I realize this is a very sensitive subject, but I am compelled to discuss it.
Drinking too much during the holidays and the effects it has on the family during the holidays is so very close to my heart…
My memories of Christmas were all centered around drunkenness as a child. Every year my siblings and I would say “Maybe this year will be different!” My brother and sister and I waiting to open our presents… waiting and waiting and waiting…but Mom and Step dad are passed out in the other room after much alcohol and fighting. This was a time when a lot of violence would occur in our home. We would finally give up broken hearted and go to bed and hope for the next morning and moods to be better than the evening before.
We were still saying these things long into adulthood…”Maybe next year will be different!” Hoping, praying for change.
For many, the holidays are the perfect time and excuse to drink, to party, to celebrate. Unfortunately, many that have this mind set, have a problem with alcohol abuse.
This is a very self centered, self serving attitude. People that only think of themselves and the pleasure they will enjoy during their drunkenness are not aware of the real world or the hurt that they may cause to others around them.
A person that has drinking problems is like the one that goes down into the basement during a tornado and comes up out of the basement after the storm and after surveying all of the damage says “What happened?”
I pray that this is not happening in your home or your extended family or even in families you know, but the sad truth is that more families are being devastated by alcoholism than ever. Not only are the parents drinking but an alarming amount of teens are now indulging in this behavior! Check the statistics!
I am not speaking of those that have an occasional glass of wine. I am speaking of drunkenness….and the devastation it brings.
Nobody ever starts out to drink too much. I don’t know one person that has ever said “I’m going to get drunk and make this the worst Christmas ever!” Do you know anyone like that? I highly doubt it. It’s that first drink that starts the downward spiral. Don’t fool yourself by thinking “well I’m drinking expensive wine, so I don’t have a problem.”
The Word of God says:
Eph. 5:18 –
“Do not be drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the spirit.”
Proverbs 23:29-35 –
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has Strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eye will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. ” ’They hit me.’ you will say, ‘but I’m not hurt!’ ‘They beat me, but I don’t feel it!’ When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”
I can tell you from my own experience as an alcoholic that this Proverb is oh so true!! God knows what He talking about.
So this Christmas season before you indulge in drinking or before someone you love indulges would you please consider praying about making some changes..EVEN if you do not know how. Just make a small start. Don’t enable this kind of destructive behavior if it is someone you love. If you are the drinker don’t create another year of drunken memories for your family to remember 40 years from now 
Below are some statistics and resources that will help you get started:
CDC Impaired driving facts
MADD Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Learn about alcoholism
Intervene: A community of parents concerned about their teens alcohol and drug use
If you need prayer please feel free to contact me through my email. I will be diligent to lift you and your situation up before the Lord!
Ok, enough said!
Please feel free to comment on this subject no matter what your opinion may be 
I’m always thankful that I grew up with a Dad who does not drink! He doesn’t even sip champagne on New Years; it’s just not his thing. While I will have an occasional glass of wine, we don’t drink much either. I’ve been around drunks; it’s never fun but especially around the holidays.
Thank you so much for your message! I am the 3rd generation in a family of alcoholics (surprisingly I’ve never been able to drink much) and most importantly I am married to an alcoholic who began recovery in April and to be honest I am scared to death of the holidays because of the tendency to drink and the thought that “one glass is okay” because I know what that leads to. I think the most important thing to remember during the holidays is that this is a Joyous holiday to be filled with Child-Like awe and not to be completely smashed and forget the whole reason for the season. I appreciate your post and I am thrilled that you chose to make on a difficult but VERY VERY relevant topic in such a powerful way. Thank You!!
Aww you are so welcome Mary Beth…it’s a message that most Christians like to avoid, but at you can see I’m a bit radical about the whole thing. I pray that your husband will make it through the holidays without drinking…it is definitely a time that folks “give themselves permission to have a drink” I will pray for you and your family. It is such a sad thing. Might I suggest Al-Anon for you? I got more out of going to Al-Anon than any group I’ve ever gone to! Wonderful living skills and no they don’t tell you to leave your spouse. They are very supportive. Thank you for stopping by and blessings to you!! <3
Hi Shari,
Thanks for this post. My brother in law suffered a horrible death from drinking. 🙁 The family went through a painful loss, and still is difficult during holidays and other special family times.
I do enjoy drinking some red wine (a glass or two) sometimes. However, your scripture you posted in Proverbs, spoke to me.
I have not posted on your blog in quite awhile. I just wanted to say “Thanks for the post!”
(Hugs) and blessings! 🙂
Thanks so much for your timely reminder! Nothing detracts more from the meaning of any holiday than over-indulgence.
For those who feel as if no celebration is complete without a “special” drink, I suggest providing a drink that is non-alcoholic while still celebratory in nature. Some possibilities include: a mixture of fruit juices mixed with club soda; some of the more realistic non-alcoholic wines/champagnes or even non-alcoholic beer.
Hi Greg! Thanks so much for supporting those who should not be indulging. I really appreciate that. Thank you also for your great suggestions on non-alcoholic mixtures that are still fun and celebratory! 🙂 Blessings! and Thanks for stopping by!