Overcoming Craving for Alcohol

Building upon our previous article where we delved into the topic of sacramental wine, today, with insights from website priest.today, we will briefly explore the darker side of this issue.

Among the pastoral challenges addressed on this resource, we find guidance for a priest who has become aware of a growing inclination towards alcohol. While this inclination has not yet escalated into a severe addiction, it "already raises certain concerns" for the priest, especially given that several of his close relatives have been significantly impacted by this addiction.

We believe you will find the advice of various archpastors valuable in combating this affliction, which transcends national boundaries — a resource not only for personal awareness but also to aid a colleague facing similar struggles.

Let us delve into the wisdom shared by these esteemed archpastors.

Establishing an Internal Barrier

The consensus among those who have commented on this issue underscores the need for priests to exercise extreme caution when dealing with the potentially perilous problem of alcohol, especially if there is a genetic predisposition. Many suggest that, for a priest with such a background, it is prudent to eliminate all possible temptations related to alcohol consumption, except during the Liturgy.

Bishop Methodius (Kondratiev)

Bishop Methodius (Kondratiev) shares his perspective: "Heredity plays a serious role in this disease, and if your ancestors have suffered from it, then, of course, you are at risk.

Personally, I had a mixed situation in my family. My mother's side had no issues with alcohol, while my father's relatives faced certain challenges. Though not as severe as those we are discussing, they did exist.

When I became a priest, I realized that I might have this problem. So, during the initial years of my priesthood, I abstained from alcohol entirely, consuming only water during meals. It took many years before I realized that I probably did not have a hereditary inclination for alcohol. However, if you are aware of such a craving or already feel it, you should control and limit alcohol consumption as much as possible on all occasions unrelated to the Holy Chalice. I believe that God will then keep you safe."

Bishop Anthony (Azizov) of Volgodonsk adds, "The fact that Father recognizes his problem means that he is on his way to dealing with it. This is very valuable. I think that there is only one way here - it is practiced by many in the Church, including among the clergy, and that is the vow of sobriety."

Bishop Panteleimon (Shatov) from Moscow provides practical advice: "Dear Father, you should avoid drinking altogether. If you have such a craving, this is the only way. It is good that you have noticed it. You just need to stop drinking alcohol, to make a vow before God. It is not necessary to do it in the presence of a confessor, but before God, you should decide for yourself that you will never drink again. And keep this promise. If possible, it is better not to announce to anyone at the table that you do not drink but just pretend that you are drinking, without swallowing anything. If they start pestering you, you can either make a joke or say that you have a headache or that you are driving. It is not necessary to show off your sobriety in front of everyone."

Fostering Motivation and Spiritual Life

Making serious and challenging decisions requires a unique internal attunement. While we generally recognize the potential harms associated with alcohol, our insightful commenters suggest conducting a personalized study of the issue. Watching popular science videos that vividly illustrate the dangers of alcohol can aid in making a confident decision to abstain from this product.

Some comments underscore the importance of maintaining a healthy social circle and addressing spiritual shortcomings that may create unnecessary openings for the adversary.

Archpriest Igor Bachinin

Archpriest Igor Bachinin offers guidance: "It would be helpful for you to actively communicate with people who strive to live sober, possibly within the framework of your parish sobriety society. 'With the pure, You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious, You will show Yourself shrewd' (Psalm 18:26).

On the other hand, from my experience of working with members of the clergy who suffer from this disease, I have noticed that they all have problems in their spiritual life. So, first of all, I advise you to think about how to organize your spiritual life — confess regularly and find a good spiritual mentor."

Consuming from the Holy Chalice

Bishop Methodius (Kondratiev) from Kamensk-Uralsky states emphatically, "The concept of the Holy Chalice is not mere words. Therefore, if we speak of the consumption of the Holy Gifts after the Liturgy, according to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29). This is, in fact, the only wine involved in priestly ministry, while the rest can be avoided. However, it is the Blood of Christ in the Chalice, and consuming it with faith will never harm you, that is for certain!"

It's challenging to express it more clearly. However, if a cleric experiences confusion, sometimes of a physical nature (as some fathers acutely feel the influence of even a small amount of consumed Blood, while others may experience an increase in blood pressure), then it is necessary to explore alternative solutions.

Bishop Anthony (Azizov)

Bishop Anthony (Azizov) offers a practical suggestion, "The problem of consuming Holy Gifts is easily solvable in parishes with more than one priest. You can ask the rector to spare this particular priest since he has taken a vow of sobriety. It seems to me that such a decision will be respected.

If there is only one priest in a parish, then it is worth heeding the advice of one of the commenters and serving with the smallest possible amount of wine, diluting it with warm water as much as its density allows (this parameter should be taken into account while choosing sacramental wine so that it does not lose its flavor)."

Sources of Inspiration

Drawing inspiration from the experiences shared in Orthodox sources, these examples may not be flawless, but they certainly serve as a beacon for those in the battle against cravings.

Archpriest Nikolai Vazhnov from Moscow narrates the story of a clergyman who devised a strategy to combat his desire for beer. He decided, "Before I go and have a drink, I must read two chapters from the Gospel." This approach not only helped him overcome his beer problem but also deepened his understanding of the Gospel.

Another individual tackled his passion by substituting a glass or two of holy water whenever the urge to drink arose. While holy water is typically consumed on an empty stomach, in cases of battling illness or addiction, such a practice is justified.

A person struggling with this affliction, though not a frequent churchgoer, received a transformative piece of advice from a priest: "If you have no strength to overcome temptation, at least pray before it in your own words, and before going to bed, find something to thank God for." Following this unconventional prayer and self-examination routine, grace descended upon this person, and the passion began to wane.

In the arsenal of our spiritual warfare, we find these weapons, and with God, all things are possible.

May God safeguard us all on our earthly paths!