Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

Alcohol: A "No-Brainer" Yes, that’s a fairly new figure of speech, first used by youths, and now a common term describing something so simple that it needs “few smarts” and no more explanation. The news media used that term to describe information that recently surfaced on the subject of the effect of beverage alcohol on the human brain. It has been known for decades that the use of alcohol causes the death of brain cells. Dr. Melvin Knisely, of the Medical College of South Carolina, revealed research done in the 60’s. He wrote: “As many as 10,000 brain cells were destroyed at a time, and the effect of damage was cumulative and significant over a period of drinking.” He also stated that the brain and other organs of those who had been “problem drinkers” were virtually useless for study by medical students. The reason, of course, is that those organs have been so affected by alcohol that they are not truly representative of that organ in others. It is not surprising, therefore, that the American Medical Association released a report on December 9, 2002, stating “youths who drink may risk lasting brain damage, especially when it comes to learning, memory and critical thinking.” That risk comes from just “a few beers,” or less than three drinks, and the report says that the brain of a youth is “particularly susceptible to damage in those years.” The report acknowledges that surveys indicate drinking among young people age 17 and younger is on the upswing virtually every year. Their average age:12! This information is not related to the “binge drinking” phenomenon that has received such attention in recent years. That damage is similarly serious, but this latest report says it doesn’t take a binge to damage the brain. Scientific research says the cause of the damage is: “Centered upon two regions in the brain: the hippocampus, a structure deep in the brain responsible for memory and learning, and the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision-making and reasoning.” The organs appear to “shrink” as a result of alcohol use, and the “damage is permanent.” Coming from the American Medical Association, it indicates the serious nature of the findings, and it also gives considerable credibility to the statements revealing the research. Frequently we hear of those who claim that alcohol can be part of a regimen in which heart disease is kept at bay. This is a popular claim, especially for those who are searching for reinforcement for their alcohol tastes. Usually these claims speak of “a couple of drinks” during the day serving this purpose. Having no credentials as a research scientist myself, I have in my files articles from those who do have those credentials. They are unanimous in their statements that, while there may be some temporary benefit, other means of obtaining the same benefit to an even higher degree are available, none of which contain the obvious negatives of addiction, organ disease, etc. What consequences will come to a generation for which “social drinking” is looked upon with such favor? If the research is correct—and it is in harmony with all we have seen in the last thirty years—we already have some adults whose thinking potential is reduced by 25% because of damage to brain cells. Critical and logical thought capabilities will be permanently diminished, not just by excessive drinking, but by what society today refers to as “social drinking.” No-brainer is an apt description of this state, both figuratively and literally. We cannot afford to grow slack in our opposition to such destruction, not only because the Bible opposes it, but because common sense and medical science denounce it. Carl B. Garner

Have you ever heard anyone suggest the following? Employer: “Give me a drinker every time.” Wife: “My husband would be the best man in the world if he would only drink more beer.” Defendant: “If I had been drunk I would never have committed that crime.” Insurance salesman: “Your rates are lower because you drink.” Doctor: “Your health will be better if you drink more whiskey.” Preacher: “Your influence will be much better if you drink more alcohol.” Newspaper Item: Ellensburg, Washington: “Audrey Kishline, 43, who founded a national organization based on the premise that problem drinkers can learn to limit their alcohol use, was sentenced Friday to 4 1/2 years in prison for killing two people while driving drunk. Kishline pleaded guilty in June to two counts of vehicular homicide. A third charge of hit-and-run driving was dismissed as part of a plea agreeement. Police said Kishline was driving the wrong way down an interstate highway on March 25th on when she smashed head-on into a car. Her blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit.”