pattyj

Are non-alcoholic beers and wines a good idea when choosing a life alcohol-free? My sister and sister-in-law drank those when they were pregnant and they didn't taste bad.

I have been trying some new non-alcoholic drink recipes for the holidays. Non-alcoholic egg nog is just as good... who would have thought? I just want something that I can make that is like a bloody mary or sex on the beach when I go to parties or have people over. I like the taste but want to stay away from the alcohol part.

Any ideas?

hypochondriac

It was always too much of a trigger for me. You may be drinking them and then start thinking how tomato juice tastes better with vodka in it... I had to change my habits completely. No one really drinks alcohol for the taste anyway, you learn to like it, like smoking, then you're hooked.

quitforme79

It would be a trigger for me as well. I go with starbucks now for a treat when I am out. If I am home I fire up the keurig. They have some really great flavors out there

Delilah1

Thank goodness they make fat free hot chocolate and whipped cream, I have been having it nightly.

JJay

It's a trigger for me as well. Also - read the ingredients. It has alcohol in it. VERY little but still alcohol that could trigger something in your brain.

quitforme79

That sounds delish delilah! Thanks for reminding me of that treat

Windancer

I myself found it a trigger also. NA beer and wine just made me want alcohol in it. Now i just stick to Perrier, soda water and lemon, or herbal teas. But hey, if it works for you there is no problem with that.

Ampsmarie

There was another thread about this a while back. People have found that drinking "non-alcoholic" drinks contributed to relapses for some. I say don't risk it.

Ghostly

This topic comes up a lot.

Really up to you patty. Many people think it is a trigger. Many people think you are using a dangerous replacement for alcohol instead of just letting it go. Many people think it can lead to relapse. Others will say go ahead as long as you don't drink.

Ask yourself - Its honestly the taste you miss? So those drinks without alcohol will taste the same, and you will be fine sticking with them? I find that hard to believe, but only you know.

pattyj

Thanks for all the input! I think I will stay away from them for now.

brandonf

Fruit juice has trace alcohol as well. Not a big deal IMHO

Dee74

I was a beer drinker.

I don't drink NA beer - but I used to.

It looked like beer, felt like a can of beer, it smelt like beer, it had that same condensation thing on the can 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.

I've never had that problem with fruit juice

D

Natom

There has been several threads about non-alcoholic drinks over the last month or so. They are one of those things that stir up a great deal of controversy. My experience with non-alcoholic beverages has been a negative one. When I started my recovery I was drinking them just on special occasions such as birthdays or weddings. However I soon ended up with a stockpile of them in the fridge and it wasn't long until I was actually drinking alcohol again.

The alcohol content of these drinks is not the worry. You can get true 0% percent non-alcoholic drinks. It is all the association that comes with the drinks that is dangerous. The bottles/cans look pretty much like a standard alcoholic beverage. Even if you make non-alcoholic eggnog your mind is still associating eggnog with alcohol. Then there's the taste of non-alcoholic beer. Firstly, they taste pretty crappy but they do taste somewhat like beer.

Similarly non-alcoholic cocktails are a no-go in my book. You are still mixing up all the ingredients, maybe even using a shaker and a blender but not adding alcohol. You are walking a very fine line that is littered with association. I had to learn the hard way even after many people warned me off those types of drinks. However this is just my opinion. But why risk taunting your alcoholic.

Natom.

FBL

I drank to get drunk, so I never saw the point of NA beer.

Soberjanedoe

I love beer and I miss beer. I got and drank a 6 pack of NA Beer then a couple of days later I was drinking real beer. For me I keep away from any imitation alcohol products.