Hi WatchTheSky,
Yes, when I first got sober last year I'd go to the local discount wholesaler and buy fake (cheap) diet coke 12 litres at a time. That would last a day or two. No idea why... it just seemed like a very necessary distraction at the time.
These days I still need a drink in hand most of the time during sober periods but decaf coffee or decaf tea seems just as effective, 10 or so cups a day....