Arbor

How does everyone feel about non-alcoholic beer? I had one over the holidays just to try it as I've never had one before. I wasn't into it. There is a small amount of alcohol in them. Some say the equivalent of toothpaste. Feel it might be a good place to post/debate for newcomers.

doggonecarl

If anything, it's over debated.

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...eway-drug.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...cocktails.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-idea-bad.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...s-relapse.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...olic-beer.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...good-idea.html

Arbor

Figured. Thanks

Fly N Buy

Thanks for the post Arbor,

I know some who indulge in NA beer and it doesn't bother them. I am pretty new and really am more concerned about the process of it. Buying "beer", putting it nicely in the fridge, waiting till the right time to drink it, the smell and look etc......

Who knows, maybe this changes someday. But, really I have little desire to try and mimic what's past. But, I don't judge those who choose differently.....

Thanks!

BeBetterforkids

I can't drink it - makes me want the real thing. same with the N/A wine...

upminer

I use it and it's what has kept me from drinking. I have no desire to drink the real thing becaue I can have this without the negative effects. It is not for everyone. I don't have a chemical dependence on alcohol. I don't romance the good times without thinking about the bad. And I accept that I cannot have anything else. The .05 content is such a stretch. Orange juice has the same.... I will say most shouldn't try NA beers unless you're willing to fail and learn becaue that first time the bar or restaurant or store doesn't have an NA you will be tested. It's hard to crave that NA beer then be told it isn't available but a regular one is. I've resisted it a few times now and it gets easier.

Spacegoat

I'l admit that I was drinking this during rehab. Even sneaking it in.

I had to have a few bottles every night, it seems daft now. It must be psychological.

And obviously must be a thing, it keeps cropping up on here...

PurpleKnight

Never tried it, but I figured if I was going to drink something non alcoholic I wouldn't limit myself back to beer, there are loads of flavours out there to try, herbal teas, fruit juices, flavoured waters.

So much to try!!

upminer

You have to have the right attitude to try it and most people don't.

SDH73

I drink a lot of N/A vodka. It's called "water".:

N/A beer doesn't appeal to me. I've seen guys who are trying to cut back drinking the stuff, but I'm well past drinking because I like the taste of beer.

Soberpotamus

I'm still not sure how I feel about them. Firstly, I don't like them at all. Hate the taste. I never liked beer anyway. I was primarily a wine drinker. As for the alcohol content... I can't help but feel that they're a great big temptation for the real thing. I switched to tea and coffee drinking in earnest once I stopped drinking alcohol. It would seem odd and even silly to me to go out and get a non-alcoholic wine drink. And I feel the same about decaffeinated coffee, lol.

Jupiters

you took every single word outta my mouth. even down to decaf coffee.
I had good intentions of switching to decaf in my afternoons here - the jar has been sitting in the cupboard not touched. hahah

I always have "good intentions"

My mom did have some N/A champagne on xmas for me so I could have a mimosa - so I did partake in that. I wouldn't have got that on my own though.

upminer

It's only a temptation if you let it be....

SDH73

I'm with SoberJennie. Decaf coffee and N/A beer are pointless for me.

Spacegoat

Same here. Utterly pointless.

My bet is if you are drinking that in a pub and identify as an alcoholic, it won't be long until you are back on the beer. Tbh

upminer

With that logic any beverage other than water, necessary for life, is "pointless" every thing is for a reason. Without NA beer is be drinking real beer still. It works for me and Is far from pointless.

MarathonMan

Upminer - you should read your first post about craving NA beer, thats the perfect warning against NA beer if you ask me....it brings out the same addictive tendancies as the real thing.

upminer

And sorry I can't avoid being around a bar setting with my job so try again.

upminer

Did I say I don't have addictive tendencies or an not addicted to the act of drinking? Isn't the ultimate goal getting off of the alcohol?

MarathonMan

By drinking NA it is a crutch and you are not truely dealing with the addiction behind it. You will stop yourself from being free by allowing that addictive behaviour to continue...all my opinion only.