Q: If someone were to consume seven to eight alcoholic drinks per day for extended periods of time, will that be considered grave matter and mortally sinful? If this amount of alcohol did not affect this person in such a way as to disable their ability to know right from wrong, would it still be sinful? Would it be mortally sinful from a health standpoint? — Colin

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:

Obviously, every person is unique and has a particular reaction to alcohol.

That said, seven to eight drinks sound like a lot. Many people would consider it to be a sign of problem drinking if not outright alcoholism.

Even if it doesn’t seem to impair a person’s ability to know right from wrong, the example of drinking such an amount could scandalize others, especially young people. And yes, that amount could affect a person’s health and violate the commandment “Thou shall not kill.”

We are called to avoid giving scandal to others and to take reasonable steps to protect our health. Both could be the stuff of mortal sin.

In any case, a person habitually drinking that much should speak with his confessor and his doctor.