Alcoholic mouthwash and products containing alcohol... - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Richey · 03-10-2005, 01:11 PM

THEY FREAK ME OUT!!! I never noticed the smell and taste of them before because I was practically sweating pure vodka at the time...but now...OMG! My mouthwash just suddenly tastes...like pure alcohol...not even mint...nothing...all I can taste is the DRINK!
I even swallowed someone of it to 'test' if it was as alcoholic as I though :/ which was pretty lame...but at least it WASN'T enough to make me the slightest bit non-sober.
But, anyway, alcoholic products are ALL AROUND US! I smell the cleaning fluids, facial toner...SO many things!
Mornings are becoming unbareable...I need to find alternatives...!
It's not like I'll actually drink these things...it's just the smell makes me crave a proper drink...
Can't even wear aftershave anymore. It's pathetic.

doorknob · 03-10-2005, 02:58 PM

Yeah those things have a type of alcohol more like rubbing alcohol, definately not meant to be or safe to consume for anyone lol. But, I hear ya. What really gets me is "Irish Cream" coffee creamer. No alcohol at all but just seems to remind me too much. Makes my stomach churn lol. I've heard that smells are our strongest memories.

Paul J

jazpoppy · 03-10-2005, 03:32 PM

Smells can be so strongly tied to memories. I am Jocelyn addict/alcoholic. I have issues with smells too. Even stuff that doesn't smell like drugs or alcohol, but a smell that was around me be it perfume or other fragrance that I would often wear or smell while I was using heavily. If I smell it now, it triggers a craving. Sometimes cocaine smells like deisel fuel, and if I smell deisel fuel I am reminded of sniffing cocaine, and may even start to crave it! Its weird. So I stay away from those perfumes that I wore while I was using, and if I can't a smell I try to associate it with NEW memories. But it is best for you to stay away from alcoholic mouthwash and coffee that smells/tastes like alcohol, because its just like torturing yourself. Hang in there! You can do it!

Luv;

Jaz

GoldenGutters · 03-10-2005, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richey

THEY FREAK ME OUT!!! I never noticed the smell and taste of them before because I was practically sweating pure vodka at the time...but now...OMG! My mouthwash just suddenly tastes...like pure alcohol...not even mint...nothing...all I can taste is the DRINK!
I even swallowed someone of it to 'test' if it was as alcoholic as I though :/ which was pretty lame...but at least it WASN'T enough to make me the slightest bit non-sober.
But, anyway, alcoholic products are ALL AROUND US! I smell the cleaning fluids, facial toner...SO many things!
Mornings are becoming unbareable...I need to find alternatives...!
It's not like I'll actually drink these things...it's just the smell makes me crave a proper drink...
Can't even wear aftershave anymore. It's pathetic.

Thankfully there are alternatives out there that are alcohol free; for mouthwash I suggest one of Trader Vic's mouthwashes; for vanilla extract go to any health food store or Trader Joes, you'll find glycerin based extracts there.

silenthummer · 03-12-2005, 06:29 AM

Hello Richey, There are ALOT of products on the market that contain alcohol. I did some research vie the internet & was amazed at the different types. Even certain Breath Mints have a form of alcohol.
There are MANY All natural items that you can purchase from Health Food establishments which contain NO Alcohol. Such as deodrants, toothpaste, mouthwash, face & body lotions, & some perfumes.
Hope this suggestion helps & have a great 24 hrs.
Sincerely, silenthummer

hillhale · 11-16-2008, 03:11 PM

What freaks me out is that there are all these things with alcohol in them and I get tested for drugs randomly. even though I don't use mouthwash with alcohol in it, I worry about other things. Like, can I get a dirty bottle from using face toner with alcohol in it. Seriously, I worry that it could absorb into my skin and give me a dirty bottle, then I would get kicked out of my recovery home in a heartbeat. Do you think that can happen?

**CarolD** · 11-16-2008, 06:12 PM

Good to see you again Richey...

As others have shared...you can find alcohol free products
Health food stores are a good place to look.
Wal-mart also carries some...
if they have stores in London.

**CarolD** · 11-16-2008, 06:21 PM

hillhale....

Welcome to SR

I have not been in a recovery home so I can't
tell you what is expected or allowed in them.

I suggest you ask a staff member for facts.
I would guess there are different standards in each.

Congratulations for chooseing a better healthy fture

vegibean · 11-16-2008, 06:26 PM

I am not allowed to have Listerine in my house and that's my rule for me. I keep that stuff away. I know what you mean though. After not being around it, drinking it, etc., boy can I smell it!!!!

Latte · 11-16-2008, 06:36 PM

All of our facial products have alcohol free. Our mouthwash says "Alcohol Free" on it. We don't even buy the real Vanilla Extract. I never had an issue with it before but the smell makes me ill when I cook/bake so I buy the immitation. I'm all about eating natural foods etc., but I just can't stand the smell of the real stuff.

It looks like Nutrogena, Cetaphil, and Oil of Olay products don't have alcohol.

sailorjohn · 11-16-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richey

THEY FREAK ME OUT!!! I never noticed the smell and taste of them before because I was practically sweating pure vodka at the time...but now...OMG! My mouthwash just suddenly tastes...like pure alcohol...not even mint...nothing...all I can taste is the DRINK!
I even swallowed someone of it to 'test' if it was as alcoholic as I though :/ which was pretty lame...but at least it WASN'T enough to make me the slightest bit non-sober.
But, anyway, alcoholic products are ALL AROUND US! I smell the cleaning fluids, facial toner...SO many things!
Mornings are becoming unbareable...I need to find alternatives...!
It's not like I'll actually drink these things...it's just the smell makes me crave a proper drink...
Can't even wear aftershave anymore. It's pathetic.

In a way they should freak you out. Have had people tell me on more than one occasion that they've drank mouthwash for the alcohol. I use cologne, but not that much. And I avoid those obvious over-the-counter things like liquid Nyquil, which contains a hefty dose of alcohol. They have the same products without alcohol.

03-10-2005, 01:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Richey Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 358	Alcoholic mouthwash and products containing alcohol... THEY FREAK ME OUT!!! I never noticed the smell and taste of them before because I was practically sweating pure vodka at the time...but now...OMG! My mouthwash just suddenly tastes...like pure alcohol...not even mint...nothing...all I can taste is the DRINK! I even swallowed someone of it to 'test' if it was as alcoholic as I though :/ which was pretty lame...but at least it WASN'T enough to make me the slightest bit non-sober. But, anyway, alcoholic products are ALL AROUND US! I smell the cleaning fluids, facial toner...SO many things! Mornings are becoming unbareable...I need to find alternatives...! It's not like I'll actually drink these things...it's just the smell makes me crave a proper drink... Can't even wear aftershave anymore. It's pathetic.

03-10-2005, 03:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
jazpoppy This catz gone wild!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wonderland... Posts: 276	Smells can be so strongly tied to memories. I am Jocelyn addict/alcoholic. I have issues with smells too. Even stuff that doesn't smell like drugs or alcohol, but a smell that was around me be it perfume or other fragrance that I would often wear or smell while I was using heavily. If I smell it now, it triggers a craving. Sometimes cocaine smells like deisel fuel, and if I smell deisel fuel I am reminded of sniffing cocaine, and may even start to crave it! Its weird. So I stay away from those perfumes that I wore while I was using, and if I can't a smell I try to associate it with NEW memories. But it is best for you to stay away from alcoholic mouthwash and coffee that smells/tastes like alcohol, because its just like torturing yourself. Hang in there! You can do it! Luv; Jaz __________________ Practice "self-compassion". Let go of those "stupid" everyday trivial things that can bring a recovering addict to their knees. Its more important to focus on yourself and love yourself even if you do "mess-up a bit".

03-12-2005, 06:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
silenthummer Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 2	Hello Richey, There are ALOT of products on the market that contain alcohol. I did some research vie the internet & was amazed at the different types. Even certain Breath Mints have a form of alcohol. There are MANY All natural items that you can purchase from Health Food establishments which contain NO Alcohol. Such as deodrants, toothpaste, mouthwash, face & body lotions, & some perfumes. Hope this suggestion helps & have a great 24 hrs. Sincerely, silenthummer __________________ :elephant:aasmile :elephant

11-16-2008, 06:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
CarolD Forum Leader Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dallas, Ga. USA Posts: 16,012	Good to see you again Richey... As others have shared...you can find alcohol free products Health food stores are a good place to look. Wal-mart also carries some... if they have stores in London. __________________ Each Day Sober Is A Victory!! Joy In AA Recovery!

11-16-2008, 06:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
CarolD Forum Leader Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dallas, Ga. USA Posts: 16,012	hillhale.... Welcome to SR I have not been in a recovery home so I can't tell you what is expected or allowed in them. I suggest you ask a staff member for facts. I would guess there are different standards in each. Congratulations for chooseing a better healthy fture __________________ Each Day Sober Is A Victory!! Joy In AA Recovery!

03-10-2005, 02:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
doorknob Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davenport, WA Posts: 2,848	Yeah those things have a type of alcohol more like rubbing alcohol, definately not meant to be or safe to consume for anyone lol. But, I hear ya. What really gets me is "Irish Cream" coffee creamer. No alcohol at all but just seems to remind me too much. Makes my stomach churn lol. I've heard that smells are our strongest memories. Paul J

11-16-2008, 03:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
hillhale Hillary Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: santa clara, CA Posts: 1	What freaks me out is that there are all these things with alcohol in them and I get tested for drugs randomly. even though I don't use mouthwash with alcohol in it, I worry about other things. Like, can I get a dirty bottle from using face toner with alcohol in it. Seriously, I worry that it could absorb into my skin and give me a dirty bottle, then I would get kicked out of my recovery home in a heartbeat. Do you think that can happen?

11-16-2008, 06:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
vegibean Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 430	I am not allowed to have Listerine in my house and that's my rule for me. I keep that stuff away. I know what you mean though. After not being around it, drinking it, etc., boy can I smell it!!!!

11-16-2008, 06:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
Latte Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palmer, AK Posts: 891	All of our facial products have alcohol free. Our mouthwash says "Alcohol Free" on it. We don't even buy the real Vanilla Extract. I never had an issue with it before but the smell makes me ill when I cook/bake so I buy the immitation. I'm all about eating natural foods etc., but I just can't stand the smell of the real stuff. It looks like Nutrogena, Cetaphil, and Oil of Olay products don't have alcohol. __________________ I am so thankful for my sobriety AA is like playing a country song backwards, you get your car back, get you job back, your wife back etc. Captainzing2000

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