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Old 10-26-2012, 08:30 PM
  # 6 (permalink)  
wpainterw
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Massachusetts
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Problem with the N/A Beer is that it is very dangerous, particularly in the early stages of recovery. This is not only because of its very small alcohol content, but, rather because heavy drinking will condition the brain to associate the taste of beer with the buzz which comes from drinking the alcoholic variety. So, when your body tastes that beer, it's like an old race horse smelling the track. Then when the buzz doesn't arrive the brain subconsciously realizes that it's been tricked, becomes a very angry horse indeed at not getting a spin on the track and there is a very high risk that your hand will then reach out for something "stronger" and away you go down the slippery slope.
So I would suggest it's best to stay away from the N/A Beer and the N/A wine and also watch the cough medicines. Anything containing or associated with alcohol. It's all a matter of conditioning. One further example. I was dependent on my wife as a control to keep me from drinking. So, when my wife went on trips I often used that as a time to resume my old drinking habits. Then, when I entered recovery, and had been sober for about three months the time came when my wife went to visit relatives. I took her to the airport and after I left her I started to feel high as a kite, like the old days after three martinis! And I hadn't consumed one drop of alcohol. My brain had just lit me up with a big neon sign saying, "It's party time!" I was scared out of my wits and got myself to a meeting. It was in an Army Hospital and I remember walking through lots of empty wards looking for the meeting. After I told them my story I felt better and didn't drink. But I had been conditioned to drink when my wife was away and those neurotransmitters were sure firing away.

W.
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