Alcohol Use and Abuse Among Single Adults
February 4, 2007
This is a fact: Alcohol Use and Abuse is much more prevalent among single people (across all age groups) than with those who are married. While single men are by far the largest demographic that uses and abuses alcohol, recent studies in the US and UK find alarming rises in alcohol use and abuse among single women.
Does all this alcohol use and abuse surprise you? It shouldn’t because alcohol use and abuse goes hand in hand with other struggles common to singles including loneliness and depression.
Alcohol Use and Abuse Signs
While drinking alcohol is certainly not condemned in the Bible, it’s abuse is. So what exactly are some signs of alcohol use and abuse? if you are a Christian single with any of the below, you may have an alcohol addiction problem that needs attention:
- You can’t deal with major duties at home, work and church
- Your alcohol use put you and others in physcial danger. For example driving “under the influence”
- Your alcohol use and abuse cause you to have problems with the law
- Your alcohol use is detroying your relationships (ex:dating) with those close to you
Overall, not treating this type of alcohol use and abuse can lead to more serious problems, including alcoholism.
Many singles who have abused alcohol (or any other substance) have expressed regret at having “wasted their lives” during this time of addiction. Missed opportunities. Poor relationship decisions. Regrettable immoral behavior.
Daily Devotional
In our daily devotion, Pastor Dave Gremban, of Calvary Chapel Ann Arbor, Michigan, encourages Christian singles to make the most of our time:
“In Ephesians 5:15-20, we are encouraged to walk wisely/sensibly/intelligently (v. 15). We are to make the most of each opportunity to shine brightly for Him in the midst of a dark world (v. 16). Let’s not waste our lives on foolish pursuits such as drunkenness, but let’s continually walk in the fullness of the Spirit (v. 18).
“In other words, let’s be constantly under the influence of nothing but the Spirit of God. Those who are full of the Spirit long for worship and they speak words and sing songs that reflect the heart of a worshiper (v. 19). In addition, those who are full of the Spirit show it in their gratitude, thanking God for all things (v. 20).
“Remember that He is able to use all things, even the difficult circumstances and the times when we’ve been wrongfully hurt, for His ultimate purposes (Rom. 8:28). He wastes nothing in our lives. Let’s shine for Him!”
Bible Verse of Day
-Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit- Ephesians 5:18
If you are a single person suffering from alcohol use and abuse, or any other addiction, remember there is hope for you! If you are seeking help, you may contact us or Google search Christian Overcomers Groups/ 12 Step Programs in your area.
Related Post:
Self Control and the Single Christian Life
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Emerging Church Movement and Single Adults Who Think Church Sucks
January 12, 2007
The emerging or emergent church “conversation” is changing the way many Christians think about reaching singles, who are by far the most unchurched group in places like the US and UK. As some emerging church propenents rightly remind us, the vast majority of the 90 million American single adults avoid traditional church at all costs, and something must be done to reach them
While I’m not part of the emerging church movement because I do believe in propositional truths as found in the Scriptures, I certainly appreciate some of it’s aspects.
The Emerging Church and Missional Living
One emerging church view I agree with is that all believers should be missionaries, lovingly engaging the unchurched around them. Sadly, most people in the Evangelical Church feel that Jesus left us on earth primarily to fellowship with each other instead of reaching lost, poor souls. Ouch!
The emerging church issue aside, as a single Christian who has experienced His love and forgiveness, how are you living and dating to effect the other singles in your midst who are in need of a Saviour? Does it really matter to you? To your church?
Bible Verse of Day
“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
1 Corinthians 9:22,23
