Non alcoholic beer
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Keep Trying
Posts: 370
Non alcoholic beer
So it's been real hot out so I got myself a six pack of non alcoholic beer. I really love the taste of beer but ya-not so much the other bad stuff that goes along with having lets say 10-14! Anyway, people have different opinions on consuming this type of drink. Does drinking NA beer just set you up for relapse or is it ok to have one or two for the taste of it? I don't want to relapse but kinda considered my ice cold bottle a little treat today. Am I setting myself up? Sure doesn't feel like it but just wondering if any of you had an opinion or experiences with the NA beer?
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 449
I asked this question in the first month or two of my attendance in AA to a fellow.
His answer was "Are you an alcoholic"
I said - "Yes". His response. "Well it says it right there on the label it's NON ALCOHOLIC beer, it's for NON ALCOHOLICS".
He then followed up with a story about him and Xanax and O'Douls. I stopped. When I stopped I noticed my body responded fondly to no longer drinking it - a less irritable feeling, as did my mind - face it, I was drinking this stuff but it didn't taste like good beer and it didn't make me feel like real beer did. In short, I didn't realize the torture I was putting myself through until I stopped. When I asked him if I had to pick up a 24 hour chip, he said "Not if you stop drinking O'Douls". Not sure what he meant by that. I suspect he meant, it would lead me back to drinking the real stuff.
That's my non alcoholic beer experience. Oh, and I'd drink all six sometimes.
His answer was "Are you an alcoholic"
I said - "Yes". His response. "Well it says it right there on the label it's NON ALCOHOLIC beer, it's for NON ALCOHOLICS".
He then followed up with a story about him and Xanax and O'Douls. I stopped. When I stopped I noticed my body responded fondly to no longer drinking it - a less irritable feeling, as did my mind - face it, I was drinking this stuff but it didn't taste like good beer and it didn't make me feel like real beer did. In short, I didn't realize the torture I was putting myself through until I stopped. When I asked him if I had to pick up a 24 hour chip, he said "Not if you stop drinking O'Douls". Not sure what he meant by that. I suspect he meant, it would lead me back to drinking the real stuff.
That's my non alcoholic beer experience. Oh, and I'd drink all six sometimes.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,372
My experience is I don't drink NA beer because it looked like beer, felt like a can of beer, it smelt like beer, it had that same condensation thing on the outside like a beer, the same fizz and foam when you pop the can, tasted like beer (kinda)....
Then I'd wonder why I'd go out everytime and get 'real' beer.
I was still knee deep in old behaviours, and didn't even realise it.
As a former beer drinker I know it ticks all the boxes for me, and opens the door to old behaviour and old thought paterns.
I don't recommend it.
I don't need to know but maybe ask yourself why would you choose NA beer when there's so many other things to drink, though?
Is it really the taste of a beer you want, or are there other things happening here as well?
D
Then I'd wonder why I'd go out everytime and get 'real' beer.
I was still knee deep in old behaviours, and didn't even realise it.
As a former beer drinker I know it ticks all the boxes for me, and opens the door to old behaviour and old thought paterns.
I don't recommend it.
I don't need to know but maybe ask yourself why would you choose NA beer when there's so many other things to drink, though?
Is it really the taste of a beer you want, or are there other things happening here as well?
D
dude in recovery
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Gulf Coast, TX
Posts: 1,504
I stay away from it, made me crave the real stuff hard enough to relapse early last year. Maybe I was destined to fail on that attempt (12 days), but I think it's asking too much of some of our strength to drink something that tastes just like the thing which has destroyed our lives...
I like the new Dr. Pepper Ten on a hot day or iced sweet tea. Just finished a hard project around the house (re-siding garage) and I was amazed how I didn't feel the need to 'reward' myself with the beer.
I like the new Dr. Pepper Ten on a hot day or iced sweet tea. Just finished a hard project around the house (re-siding garage) and I was amazed how I didn't feel the need to 'reward' myself with the beer.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: London
Posts: 1,384
I have tried a couple, but it just keeps me in the mindset that I am missing something.
It keeps the illusion/myth/Brainwashing alive.
Alcohell does not tastes nice, think back to your early days when you first started tasting it ? Once addicted, in which most drinkers are, only then we are convinced it tastes nice.
It keeps the illusion/myth/Brainwashing alive.
Alcohell does not tastes nice, think back to your early days when you first started tasting it ? Once addicted, in which most drinkers are, only then we are convinced it tastes nice.
Peace, Love, Sobriety
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Wilmington, DE
Posts: 1,549
I was warned to stay away from non alcoholic beer and wine because it still contains a very small amount of alcohol in it regardless, and it is a trigger for most people. I drank to get wasted, not just for the taste. If I drink one of them it will only make me want the real thing and I can't put that back into my body.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Near Scranton PA
Posts: 424
We cook with wine and there's always wine in the 'fridge, but like FormerBeerLover, I drank to get drunk and a bathtub full of near-beer wouldn't even register on my drunk-0-meter. I don't bother with the stuff.
I think intent speaks more to whether we're maintaining our sobriety. I know people in recovery who are Orthodox Christians, lots of them around here, and they partake of wine to celebrate communion. They approach it as a sacrament and don't consider it backsliding and don't experience cravings as a result of the drink.
To me, NA beer just doesn't taste that good.
I think intent speaks more to whether we're maintaining our sobriety. I know people in recovery who are Orthodox Christians, lots of them around here, and they partake of wine to celebrate communion. They approach it as a sacrament and don't consider it backsliding and don't experience cravings as a result of the drink.
To me, NA beer just doesn't taste that good.
Member of SMART Recovery
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,722
I use NA beer in cooking (makes a great liquid for braised short ribs!) but I'd never drink it. Not because I think it would mess with my head, but because I don't think it tastes good as a beverage. If I want to drink something refreshing or festive, I go with italian soda.
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Originally Posted by NewHouse2012 
I don't want to relapse but kinda considered my ice cold bottle a little treat today. Am I setting myself up? Sure doesn't feel like it...
What caught my eye was your use of the term "treat." Today you are treating yourself to NA beer, maybe next week the treat will be "just one" real beer.
Careful how you justify your choices. Your addiction is subtle and cunning. Just a thought.
Choosing Life
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montana
Posts: 1,435
I was never much of a beer drinker, but my husband was (along with his whiskey). He got sober for about a month and then decided that it he missed the taste of beer, so he started drinking NA beer. A couple of weeks later, he was back on the whiskey and is still drinking. I honestly think the NA beer had a lot to do with it.
Laozi Old Man
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,665
everages but i was only fooling myself.
Originally Posted by doggonecarl
Considering there are soooo many non-alcoholic options, why fake beer?
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Maryland
Posts: 259
To each his own, if it doesn't cause problems for you then enjoy.
I have a NA beer on occasion, with raw seafood because to me washing down a raw clam or oyster with Ice cold beer tasted good, and now since I no longer drink the real stuff I have one N.A.
other than that I find no use for it.
Good luck and enjoy,
I have a NA beer on occasion, with raw seafood because to me washing down a raw clam or oyster with Ice cold beer tasted good, and now since I no longer drink the real stuff I have one N.A.
other than that I find no use for it.
Good luck and enjoy,
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