2PE 2:19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. ROM 7:17-20 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful flesh. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ROM 8:12-14 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 1JO 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. JAM 1:22-25 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. 1CO 10:12-13 So, if you think you are standing strong, be careful, you to may fall into the same sin that is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. JAM 1:12-15 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Drinking socially to be accepted

The euphoria is exciting

A pattern to the addiction begins

You plan the day so you can have a drink

The desire becomes a hunger

You now have a new partner in your life

The euphoria begins to turn to shame

The shame turns to lying & deception

Your work and family functions become secondary

You try to cover up your addiction by deception

The results are intense family arguments and fights

Denial of the control is adamant

The liver and other body functions begin to fail

Superiors at work begin to give ultimatums

The family is turning from pity to disgust

The friends begin to leave and are replaced with addicts

Periods of depression get longer and longer

It takes more and more abuse to ease the depression

There is no euphoria anymore

Using is an attempt to become normal

The boss has had enough, and your job is finished

Your reputation precedes you every where you go

The next job will be menial at best

Major depression and withdrawal from society sets in

The family has had all the abuse they can take

You leave the family with shame and depression

The next living arrangement will be poor at best

When the money is finally gone, you find an addict to live with

You begin to feed on each others misery and depression

Satan introduces you to the spirit of suicide

You have now officially hit the bottom