Q&A Home > A > Alcohol/Alcohol Consumption

• How do we respond when peoples say they drink alcohol but do not get drunk but they drink in small quantities?
• In my family, drinking alcohol is not an addiction; usually it mainly appears during celebrations like in the American Christmas, or New Years Eve, or even once in a while on the dinner table, a small glass of wine. I have heard from many priests before and some families that drinking all together is wrong even if it is supervised and not excessive. I know our church stands firm against drinking and getting drunk, but would it be wrong if it is treated like a coke can on the dinner table and not taken as an addiction? Also, what is my position when I am at a huge family gathering and they offer me a cup of wine, should I take it simply so I don't cause a scene or should I say no? At the end, for me, alcohol is not something amazing that I love to drink, but at the same time I have no problem with it. This is because usually if I am offered a drink, it’s always at home with family. I never take the risk to drink at school since I never put myself at any place where there is a party. I just really need to find the right answer for this
• In the Old Testament the drinking of wine was condemned. What is the Church’s viewpoint concerning alcohol, and how do we reconcile to the miracle at the Wedding of Cana of Galilee and to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 7:34 "The Son of Man has come eating and drinking and you say, 'look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'"
• Is it okay to occasionally drink some alcoholic beverages at home and not before people?
• My son said sorry; it is the first and last time to get drunk. I listened to him quietly and I told him that we have to thank God for keeping him safe, and that he could have lost his life totally with such behavior. I tried to assure him that this is not going to affect our relationship, but at the same time, we have to discuss it to see what is going on. I told him as I told his friends that we should talk with each other but I gave them some time to rest before we meet again. I can’t tell his father; I can’t tell his father of confession either. I told him and his friends that we should talk but I don’t know really what I should say. How I can convince them to stop these behaviors; how I can protect my son and affirm my authority as a parent even in his age where he thinks that he has to be totally free like his friends? Their parents didn’t restrict them with any limits like I do with him. I think it might be a good opportunity to serve all of them for the sake of my son and for their sake too. My feeling towards them is the feeling of a mother who wants them not to harm themselves.