Why I QUIT Drinking! | Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. 

I remember having a hang over during mass one Sunday morning. I invited the Holy Spirit to help me see how to defeat this sin. I was freed from consuming any alcohol. Praise Jesus for freeing me from this bondage.

HI Father Pine, i was just a wine-sipper for many years but after awhile, i used wine to escape my feelings and responsibilities. I am now sober in AA for 27 years and fully back in the Roman Catholic church. God bless you always! Aloha from Hawaii❤

Please pray for my son that he overcomes his alcohol addiction. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

This week on PINTS with Aquinas: Why I quit drinking 😂

I haven't had any alcohol for almost 5 years, wasn't addicted to it just simply decided to stop. Don't feel like I'm missing out on anything whatsoever.

Jesus smashed addiction for me 18 years ago one day at a time.

I quit for exactly the same reasons mentioned here (now I have about 6 beers a year). My ability to praise, reverence, and serve God got better quickly. I don't feel like I'm missing out at all. It's worth a try even if you don't have "a problem" with drinking.

Pints 🍺 of milk 🥛 with Aquinas. I have maybe 1 drink every 2 months. I used to drink far more: bottle of wine with a meal, a beer in the evening, a couple of pints with a friend, the occasional brandy or scotch. I don’t miss it at all.

I had a friend die of cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism at age 41 was a wake up call for me 😢

When we lose language to describe a reality, we often lose hold of that reality- Fr Pine

As a Hillbilly Thomists fan, all I can say is: "Bourbon, Bluegrass, and the Bible"! 😉 Seriously though, when pondering the issue myself, I once did a search on Bible software to bring up all Bible verses mentioning wine. Of the ones in the wisdom literature, a good number were warnings against the deceptive allure of wine, and a good number commended the use of wine to bring joy and gladness of heart and comfort. When you put them together, you see wine has its place but you must be careful it doesn't rule you or become more important than God. Also, as Fr Gregory said, time and place and circumstance! If you need all your wits and to be attentive to the Holy Spirit because you have a tricky topic to raise with someone over dinner, best not to have any alcohol.

I prayed to quit, and it has been almost 5 years. It works 💪

I had a similar intuition. Even Our Lord's first miracle being water to wine at Cana. I don't drink often but there are spiritual goods to be enjoyed. The scientific community rarely sees past biometrics. Simply put, we're more than our biometrics. Peace🙏

I grew up in a culture that does not put emphasize on alcohol usage (drinking occasionally is fine, but not needed to have a good time). The discussion about moderation in drinking is interesting because to me alcohol is more like a luxury item and never a necessity. Fr. Pine brought up good point on the reasons Jesus choosing wine. I thought it was more about the process and patience needed to make wine. I never thought about the social aspect, ie. delight and festivity. Thank you for pointing that out

Temperance is the virtue our lady of sorrows has been pointing me to, especially this Lent. Same with meekness. Thank you Fr Pine

I had to quit. It took over!

I am a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart - founded by Fr. James Cullen in Ireland to combat the problem of alcoholism. Members willingly abstain from all alcoholic drinks 'for the greater glory of God, to practice self-denial, to make reparation for the sins of intemperance and for for the conversion of excessive drinkers'.

Venerable Matt Talbot, pray for us!

I LOVE YOU FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’ And I know you know why. The Lord needs you to live long. Agape!

I had my last drink on my 25th birthday. I saw the destruction it has done to my family and I wanted nothing to do with it. I have respect for people who abstain from alcohol and who work their program - AA. I don't judge those who do drink.

Thank you!! 🙏

One word: Grace. This is an interesting video. My last confession, I realized I had never confessed getting drunk. I confessed it that way, and want to never have to confess that again. Here is the short version of Huberman's scientific discussion of alcohol in the human body.

When it comes to substances that are addictive for someone, to where they invariably engage in excess, I think St. Augustine's famous quote is applicable: *_"Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation."_*

Thanks for this. You're very well spoken. I'm grateful you're here ! p.s. Your eyebrows = goals! I struggle daily trying to get mine even & full

Could younger generations be drinking less due to the increase of cannabis usage? Or also seeing our past generations succumb to alcohol and not wanting the same for our life? Back when I was a heavy cannabis user, it never kept me from praising my lord, if anything increased my praise and worship for HIM. I don’t know when I may try it again, idk maybe never. But that’s just my experience.

Most of the negative health effects associated with alcohol use are people who were tested who were HEAVY drinkers, not casual drinkers, so I tend to look at SOME of these studies with some caution

I've never been addicted to it but did enjoy a casual drink at home every now and then. Giving it up for lent this year and I do miss it honestly. Maybe I was more attached to it than I thought

Moderation based on individual reaction to alcohol is, I think, the way to go

I love beer! This year I have forsaken all alcohol for the duration. I've done this more than a few times now. My first attempt was a fail because, while I gave up beer, I did not agree to forgo all alcohol and, by the end of that Lenten season I was something of a wine lush. In later years, I learned to make it a complete moratorium of alcohol and that was very effective. Another thing that was learned, I was often in the presence of people who did not support this idea. I was often challenged and presented with outside obstacles of individuals trying to convince me that "one drink" or some kind of dispensation was due. It was very helpful to experience this phenomenon and it made it that much more fulfilling when I met my goal. Finally, in latter years, I have accomplished the feat without much difficulty. I'm glad that I decided to exercise this kind of mastery over the self. I know it may not seem like much, but the process of self-discovery and application of lessons learned was very helpful to me and I think also assisting in my spiritual life, which is actually the primary reason for the undertaking. I know that first sip of cold beer after this 40 days of abstinence is going taste like heaven!! 🍻

I have found I also have a"sensitivity" to alcohol which is driving me to not partake as a general lifestyle but not as a declared abstinence for life.

DEO GRATIAS!!!

I quit alcohol for Lent. I don't want to put a "never, ever again" label on it. But right now, I don't want to go back.

My daughter is allergic to alcohol. Her lips swell up and she can't breathe. It has never stopped her from having a good time in her life.

Me. 63. Never had a beer in my life. I have maybe 1-2 glass of wine per year

having been brought up in the salvation army where drinking is forbidden I still struggle with the place alcohol should have in my life. This talk was helpful.

Thank you, Paul the A

X drug addict here 2 years clean started in 1993 -2021

I hear what you are saying Father. Everything in moderation. It comes down to your will and personal discipline. God made alcohol. It is good. Just like every other good thing on earth. It's the person's choice to abuse it that is bad. He gave us free will people, if it takes your gaze from Jesus don't do it. Otherwise, cheers, salute, slo

Shows called Pints with Aquinas; talks about quitting drinking. Lol

Good stuff Fr Pine....I've been sober 32 years (because I'm a drunk not because of our faith) and so my opinion may be skewed.....I've noticed a fascinating cultural phenomenon in that so many people seem to post pics of themselves holding up a glass of wine or some other concoction. I've wondered what message they are intending to convey holding the booze up like is it cool or something?

when you tell your listeners you pray for them… is it like “ I lift up all the listeners”.?

amen

I gave up drinking and drugs because I felt better without them.

I'm a Gen-Z, fresh college grad, and here's my few cents. (Note: I come from a region where the legal drinking age is 18, when I say I've been drinking for years, I'm not advocating underage illegal activities). I usually don't drink. The number of times I drink over the course of a year can be counted on one hand. The reason I don't really drink is because I'm East Asian and just a bit of alcohol will make me feel really sick. So I'd heat/redden up first, that'll take around an hour to disperse, and any more will make me have headaches and nausea. Classic Alcohol Flush syndrome. It's worse with some drinks, such as Champagne, which will kickstart the reaction with just one sip, compared with reds and whites. I think it's the bubbles. So that's why I technically "missed out" on a lot of college life as I don't drink apart from the occasional toast (and it's usually Champagne, ugh). I don't regret it. I get to experience the life God created in it's full colour instead of tinted with drunkenness, and I remember the whole experience. I also don't smoke cigarettes, weed or do drugs for the same reason. I understand that people used to drink more alcohol because it's one method of getting rid of bacteria in it. But it's 2024, we have modern sanitation, as well as the option of boiling water instead of fermenting it. There's no excuse to be drinking as much alcohol as our ancestors. Leave the alcohol to celebrate special occasions. The best example is the Eucharist.

As to whether alcohol has a health benefit for the body or not, it’s good to keep in mind that alcohol isn’t what it used to be. Alcohol in the modern age is ultra-pasteurized, involves commercial yeasts (vs those found in nature), and the grains/fruits used in fermentation are not as healthful as they used to be/full of pesticides. So traditional wisdom saying that beer/wine is good for you stands true so long as it’s in reference to traditionally brewed/fermented processes. What we have now is probably good to cut out, tbh. It’s as simple as thinking ahead in charity, and providing a non-alcoholic option for group situations. Punch, lemonade, hot apple cider.

Temperation. Temperance + Moderation = Temperation

Never tasted Château Lafite, I guess. A great gift from God, along with Chambertin, Musigny, Montrachet, etc., etc.

Back in the late 1990s, someone found that rats live six-times longer when they consumed the equivalent of one beer/wine per day. The cause was unclear. About ten years later, someone figured out that ingesting the beer/wine served as a catalyst, enabling the body to absorb more copper from their existing diet. And this resulted in a strengthening of their arteries. Hence, in cultures like France that promoted regular wine consumption, they lived longer. That's all there is to it. Now, aside from being social, alcohol consumption can be a treatment for severe stress, especially after some manner of emergency. (That is to say, getting drunk softens the emotional shock, such that you recover faster.) Having noted that, I find that being a practicing Catholic also serves as a treatment for severe stress, such that my main consideration for drinking "a beer" is to improve my arteries.

how does that work for Eucharist part of the Mass? RCIA catechumen here.

When I was a kid, the motto was “say no to drugs.” Today, “legalize recreational use of weed to pay for education.” All this while ~130k (all time high) died from drug overdoses in the USA in 2023. Evil forces at play at all levels of society.

I will take the life long pledge when Franziskaner weissbier and Black Sheep brewery go into administration.

I love drink Bénédictine !!! 😇🫗

Never really started drinking because beer tastes like piss, vodka tastes like rubbing alcohol, and whiskey tastes like wood chips. I also don’t get the whole “you drink for the feeling not the taste”. There’s plenty of other things that you can do to feel better. Even tasty smoothie can make you feel. I also don’t want to make a fool out of myself with the extra “confidence” alcohol can give you. That said no shame to those who do drink responsibly. If you drink irresponsibly, I am judging you (shame on you)

Apparently no one commenting watched the video

I have found giving up things like alcohol, sweets, etc. isn't actually that hard. Although using them without ill effect is quite difficult. Immoderate or moderate use of alcohol has a similar effect on me where it takes away from my wellbeing to the point that it simply isn't worth it. I would enjoy being able to drink occasionally, but it definitely takes away from my well-being no matter the amount. Could this be a spiritual reaction to alcohol?

Where you an aspirant at Mount St Francis Hermitage from 2006-2007?

“… blessed are the meek…” ~ how well does that translate from the original Greek to the KJV Bible English?

Glad you quit drinking. Anyone who has the luxury of not having anxiety, does not have children, or a stressful job can quit drinking but don’t make it out to be a one size fits all.

Father- love your work and posts! You need a good Bavarian pilsner or Helles bier- those Belgian nine percent beers will give anyone a headache! However point taken; alcohol- like art- is totally useless.

A lot of the great beers and breweries in Europe especially in Germany, were founded by religious orders, monks. Alcohol consumed in moderation is ok, ideally it is probably best to be tee total, though.

Find it bothersome that he didn't make it crystal clear that Alcoholics should not attempt to drink in moderation but should abstain completely. Catholic alcoholic like my self could watch this and become tempted.

Did Jesus really *choose* bread and wine, or were they merely the components of the Seder and symbols of the old covenant which were transformed into the paschal sacrifice of the new covenant?

But the channel is called Pints With Aquinas...

sooooo, new channel name?

Even what some might consider moderate drinking can cause cirrhosis, many other types of digestive damages, b vitamin brain deficiency. When I was an EMT for the FD there were a lot of hardcore alcoholics that were frequent flyers, the type that drink 1.5 liters of vodka a DAY every single day, which is insane. These people will puke blood, they get delirium tremens which is like a bad LSD hallucination with risk for seizure, heart attack, and a lot of other problems.

Well I appreciate that you want balance but I still think many people should not drink at all, giving up booze entirely is not a bad thing. It is a discipline

Ironically my 21st birthday is tomorrow.

Do you think there’s also a cultural dimension to it? I feel like Americans tend to have a more unhealthy approach to alcohol use compared to other cultures? Go to any wedding with mostly white people and you can see it.

I wonder if the alcohol in Jesus’ day was of the same alcoholic content as it is today? I’ve heard it was a lot less in alcohol content. I have medical professionals in my family and they’ve confirmed it’s really better just to not drink bc of no real health benefits and they’ve witnessed those dying of alcoholism and it’s so terrible like nothing else.

I like listening to Father Pine, but I think his mention of sexual intercourse is excessive. I'm glad i watched all the way to the end just for the "nitty ditty."🙃

This is not talked about enough

I’m kind of confused by this sobriety movement. Not saying it’s bad, it’s just a weird thing that has kinda come out of nowhere.

Drinking Alcohol is luxury for those living in rich countries or for those who have lots of money. Go on a mission to India or other counties where people struggle to get one square meal a day, then you will get a better and bigger picture. Also try to understand the ill effects of alcohol. It will help us to understand why some people don't drink at all. It's not just about vice or virtue but using plain common sense from the experience of people around us. Those who can responsibly drink are very very few. Moreover, we will never know what was their situation at the end of their lives. Were they still responsible drinkers? I am saying this from my experience with people over the last 35 years. I don't want to judge anyone. May the LORD help us all. Grace to all who have an undying love for Christ. Amen Ave Maria.

Do not want to knock St. Dominic or the OP friars. But St. Benedict's REGULA states that monks should not drink......

But go you into so many tangents… and you talk so fast. I want to understand you better… I feel like a dummy. Breathe, father. Let my brain catch up. Win, win.

Maybe the Church should show a good example. Except for Mass Wine, all Catholic facilities need to be alcohol free. Even for money making events. And, it would prehaps be in the concrete of Conversation of Morals and Morals. Ask your insurance agent if you would get a discount for being outside of Mass alcohol free. Plus you do not have to worry about dram shop law

Fradd co-owns a cigar store (product not good for anyone) and publicly has said that there are lots of poor people in his town whom he knows on sight and resents. So how about instead of running a shop that sells products that do no good and plenty of harm, how about relieving the poor with the money you waste on cigars and alcohol? A priest once told me that people who are "exorcised" the demon of one addiction, like alcohol, often have several other "demons" in the form of other addictions come in. I suspect that cigars and alcohol are porn-substitutes for Fradd. Especially the way he tries so hard to encourage smoking and drinking as "cool" pursuits for Catholic men. Reminds me of how Hugh Hefner promoted Playboy as porn for "gentlemen." So here comes Fradd saying porn is bad, but smoking and recreational alcohol are cool and manly and make you more like Chesterton if you indulge in these addictions that waste money, hurt your health and fuddle your brain. I always get the sense of a kind of arrested development in Fradd, like the infantalizing effects of his porn addiction have turned him to trying to act like a "grown man, circa 1955" with the smoking and drinking: "look at me, I can be a sophisticated guy like Hefner promoted, and a Catholic influencer at the same time." So grow up and put aside the breast-feeding substitutes then.

Never saw the point in alcohol or smoking or drugs apart from medicine (and I even prefer to let nature work rather than a chemical). I find the drinking and smoking on Pints with Aquinas puerile and pointless and have noticed some of Matt Fradd's interviews become silly after the drink takes effect and trivial once the cigars come out. I don't really have time to watch someone get stupid after drinking or listen to a man with a huge brown phallic symbol in his lips natter on about mindless matters. Why does Fradd think anyone wants to listen to two tipsy people tell bad jokes badly or watch them suck on phallic symbols? Not entertaining or edifying.