Replacement for my Shower Beer?
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Idaho
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Replacement for my Shower Beer?
I looked forward to that cold beer in a hot shower at the end of the day. (Is that a weird ritual? Dad used to do it growing up...) Now I'm substituting water to try to curb the habit, but I still feel anxious through the hours that I usually drink. How have you all succeeded in curbing that? Any recommendations?
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 929
First thing I did upon arriving home from work, was crack open a few ice cold tall boys.
That ritual has been replaced with my cracking open a 750 ml bottle of Perrier, can of Coke Zero or can of soda water.
On weekends, I look forward to a premium soda pop, such as Virgils or Boylan. Cream Soda and Black Cherry...better tasting than any alcohol I've ever had.
That ritual has been replaced with my cracking open a 750 ml bottle of Perrier, can of Coke Zero or can of soda water.
On weekends, I look forward to a premium soda pop, such as Virgils or Boylan. Cream Soda and Black Cherry...better tasting than any alcohol I've ever had.
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE and then South some more
Posts: 2,648
Hey Unimatrix, I don't know how early you are in this, but my suggestion would be to maybe find something nice to sip on, and just chill out in bed for a few days after work, give yourself a break.
I would stay away from caffeine for now as that may cause more anxiety, maybe some flavored soda waters? Zhepherhills makes some nice bubbly's. Ice tea, or hot teas.
Even having a sugary treat may help a little too, whatever is your favorite. Go for it, be good to yourself and just take some deep breaths and relax.
Hope that helps.
I would stay away from caffeine for now as that may cause more anxiety, maybe some flavored soda waters? Zhepherhills makes some nice bubbly's. Ice tea, or hot teas.
Even having a sugary treat may help a little too, whatever is your favorite. Go for it, be good to yourself and just take some deep breaths and relax.
Hope that helps.
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 929
Originally Posted by kizzy40 
I would suggest breaking any 'rituals associated with alcohol to be honest, it will just make you think of it.
Congrats on your decision to quit
Congrats on your decision to quit
I feel that replacing an unhealthy ritual with a healthy one is unlikely to remind you of the original.
That`s just me anyway.
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 25
I happened to like drinking in a hotshower as well, but mine was a bottle of vodka vs a can of beer. I have met other alcoholics through AA that have shared your passion for a can of ice cold beer in the shower. One said he replaced it with an ice cold can of ginger ale instead. Any soda worked for him, He said it HAD to be a can, HAD to be ice cold and bubbly, otherwise the "ritual" didn't feel right. I never really missed drinking in the shower though personally.
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 603
Originally Posted by Boozehound86
I happened to like drinking in a hotshower as well, but mine was a bottle of vodka vs a can of beer. I have met other alcoholics through AA that have shared your passion for a can of ice cold beer in the shower. One said he replaced it with an ice cold can of ginger ale instead. Any soda worked for him, He said it HAD to be a can, HAD to be ice cold and bubbly, otherwise the "ritual" didn't feel right. I never really missed drinking in the shower though personally.
As someone else here said, "I drank because the day of the week ended in a Y."
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
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It must be a northern hemisphere thing - never did it, never thought about it, never heard of it before this post.
I think it's good to vary your routine a little - maybe try not drinking anything, or having a bath, showering at a different time etc
D
I think it's good to vary your routine a little - maybe try not drinking anything, or having a bath, showering at a different time etc
D
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: US
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A close friend who is a year or so ahead of me in sobriety suggested using sparkling mineral water instead of beer for a replacement option during those ritualistic times. It works for me and is a healthy alternate.
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: ma
Posts: 242
I've drank coffee in the shower ... never much of a morning person. Definitely have drank beer in the shower.... I'm from MA and we take drinking very seriously. Well, used to. I drink ALOT of soda water these days. We have polar brand here and the cherry pomegranate is the best. In recent travels.to Hawaii and Florida canada as well as more regional locations I realize the rest of the world doesn't have all these great flavors
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Midwest
Posts: 8,334
When I first quit drinking I was obsessed with trying to find a replacement for wine. There are several non alcoholic drinks I enjoy, but am now realizing I changed my life by stopping drinking and that's the way it is.....so for me there isn't anything I can substitute for wine and that's ok. I drink a lot of ice water
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Southern Oregon U.S.
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The ol' shower beer. It wasn't a ritual for me but there was a time that I would have a beer in the shower every once in a while. I brush my teeth in the shower, maybe try that. Hard to drink beer when brushing. The ginger ale idea is a good one. I just got a soda stream to make soda water at home, it's kinda cool. But sometimes you just gotta let go of an old habit for a while and soon you won't be thinking about it.
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,226
I drank a beer in the shower once after a long race on a hot day. My reason was that I wanted to get those few extra in before getting together with friends, so it looked like I had the same amount they did, with no head start.
I realize this isn't why you do it, but thanks for indulging me while I reminded myself just how sick and absurd I was.
How about drinking an ice cold soda instead? It may come down to simply stopping it, if you want to stop drinking. Changes are necessary sometimes.
I realize this isn't why you do it, but thanks for indulging me while I reminded myself just how sick and absurd I was.
How about drinking an ice cold soda instead? It may come down to simply stopping it, if you want to stop drinking. Changes are necessary sometimes.
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
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Originally Posted by UnimatrixZero
but I still feel anxious through the hours that I usually drink. How have you all succeeded in curbing that? Any recommendations?
Never say never...
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Boston-ish
Posts: 70
I would either shy away from that for a while or try the gingerale. Good luck!
I only have a week under my belt....and I usually start drinking before I even get home....after I lock up, while I'm cleaning up & restocking the coolers....Yup, I'm a bartender
...this Thursday will be my first night in since giving up my vodka last Monday.
I only have a week under my belt....and I usually start drinking before I even get home....after I lock up, while I'm cleaning up & restocking the coolers....Yup, I'm a bartender
...this Thursday will be my first night in since giving up my vodka last Monday.
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 3,062
Those darn rituals are so tricky to deal with. As a former wine drinker I threw out all of my wine glasses as well as anything that reminded me of drinking. I have picked up the habit of drinking a cup of coffee after work as I was falling asleep before the news even came on during my early early sobriety. I know caffeine isn't a great habit, but the wine got me in much more trouble. Breaking the rituals is one of the hardest parts about getting sober!
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