Even though alcoholism ranks as one of the country's three major health problems, along with cancer and heart disease; even though it accounts for approximately 98,000 deaths every year; even though it is the root cause of most pastoral -
care crises (suicides, auto fatalities,
child abuse, divorces, hospital admissions, accidental deaths and home violence); even though it costs the nation $ 120 billion annually in terms of lost work time, health and welfare benefits, property damage, medical
expenses, insurance and lost wages; and even though its effects impair the educational process of every
child in every classroom, still the church acts as though alcoholism does not
exist.
In all probability, your
children and or family will inherit other end - of - life
expenses, such as the cost of probating a will, paying off a home mortgage if one
exists or any
expenses for your final
care that were not covered by insurance.