Ferdygal

Hello SR people - first post here, although I've been lurking for a week or two.

I'm starting to feel the benefit of cutting down my alcohol, with a lighter mood and no workdays made all the more difficult by hangovers.

What I'm having trouble with, as I'm sure all newbies must, is what on earth to do with myself while sober. In particular, I'm having trouble finding an alternative beverage for nights out and socialising: too much diet cola and I'm awake all night, water is nice but kinda boring after a while. What's the best, non-sweet drink y'all have found to enjoy in the evenings?

bcboy

Welcome!

I am a big fan right now of sparkling water with lots of ice and a thick slice of lemon.

Great anytime without any sugar or nasty diet soda type chemicals.

Jabbadabutt

Diet Caffiene Free Coke (I know...what's the point) but when you are looking to slam something cold that fills you up to bloated so you don't feel like drinking anything else....it works. hard to find out at places but i have it at home in cans.

tomw

I was thinking the same thing. Check this out>>
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...hat-drink.html

AmericanGirl

Hi Ferdygal! This was a huge problem for me in the first few weeks, too. Caffeine at night is a huge problem for me, and I also find tap water boring. Treat yourself to some fun things like sparkling water (San Pelligrino, mm). Hibsicus Tea is good iced (and it's decaf). Other teas, too, are good, but if you live anywhere near where I live you don't want to drink anything warm right now! I also liked experimenting with some mixed juice/soda things, like gingerale + orange juice, but it's good to keep sugar consumption in check. I hope some of these are appealing!

GettingStronger2

as for what to do. . .in the very early days, I treated myself to things -- did my own pedicures, bought some new clothes, etc. I also read more and watched movies. Now I am reading, working out, getting more done both at home and work, knitting. . .

As for drinks, I am an avid club soda/sparklling water person. I like to mix it with fruit juice as well.

Ferdygal

I assume it's some sort of side-effect of drinking dry white wines, but I haven't really got a sweet tooth, and the options you get are all so sugary! Caffeine-free diet coke sounds like the biz, tho - I seem to remember having some once and it was actually better than it sounds.

Sobriety is just so....unfamiliar. Not gone for more than a couple of days without a drink since my late teens. Feel like I'm wearing someone else's uniform: dull, strange and restrictive at the moment...

ElegantlyWasted

Carbonated water with a sugar free powdered mix ie South Beach, Lipton (the Rasberry Green Tea with Rasberry is awesome and has antioxidents), powerbar has a lemon version that has a little real sugar in it for a total of 10 calories. I found all these @ the 99cent store. They come in boxes with 6-14 packets and are mean to be added to a 16 oz water bottle. Use carbonated water and you have an inexpensive tasty drink. For budget athletes out there 10 cents for the power aid mix vs 1.50+ for store bought Gator or Power Aid.

LaFemme

Since you live in England you might be able to find someting called Sanbitter (its made by San Pelligrino)...it has the bitter taste of campari and tastes awesome with Tonic water or Limonatta.

If you are going out you can always ask the bartender for suggestions, if the bartender is good they could surprise you:-)

In the US there is something called an Arnold Palmer which is half Lemonade and half Iced Tea.

I don't care for sugary drinks either and haven't had Cola in a decade. The reality is that alcohol is sugar and many people have sugar cravings after giving up alcohol.

I don't feel restricted by sobriety, I feel free for the first time in over 5 years, I am on day 32:-) Good luck!

TexasNative

Another for carbonated water w-natural flavor. I like LaCroix, it comes in Lime, Grapefruit, Lemon etc...zero anything, just nat flave and bubbly water. Another fave for me (especially when its 100 degrees like today) is Lemonade flavor Gatorade on ice.

grateful2b

Welcome to SR, Ferdygal,
and congratulations on your sobertime!
can't add much to to the great advice already given

Chloe60

[QUOTE=LaFemme;2677838]
... The reality is that alcohol is sugar and many people have sugar cravings after giving up alcohol./QUOTE]

OMG LaFemme, I had not thought of the sugar in alcohol, but that explains it! I have never been a sweets person, but now I'm eating things like Oreo's before bed! It explains the craving, but I had better knock it off!

I don't know if they have it in your area, but I've been relying on Fresca to substitute my evening wine. It's got the bad diet stuff, so I'll be switching to SoBe water...zero calories, zero artifical sweetners.

augustwest

yogi teas. i drink their calming tea at night and will have the lemon-ginger green tea after dinner. i'll also drink yerba mate sometimes.

artsoul

Like LaFemme mentioned, alcohol has lots of sugar. So don't worry about sugary drinks (or Oreos, one of my faves!) during the first several weeks of sobriety.

I found that I like tonic with lime, and soda with a splash of fruit juice. But I do drink coffee and Diet Rite cola (which has Splenda instead of Aspartame) Right now, just go for whatever sounds good to you and keeps the cravings at bay.

Dee74

Hi Ferdygal

Sobriety can feel weird...it needn't be restrictive tho IMO.
I hope you'll grow to be comfortable with the new you

Welcome aboard
D

smacked

I don't find myself in many situations where I'm out socializing, in need of a drink in my hand, unless dinner out counts! I just drink what I like.. which I had no idea of at first. I spent a lot of time having fun with all the non alcoholic drinks I had neglected. Tea, milk (!), sodas, sparkling water, real fruit juice.. etc etc.

While out, I also found MOST people around me don't even drink, I had no idea!

julez

I found a powdered drink mix that comes in packets thats called True Orange. Its super light, and if you mix it with water, its very refreshing. I don't really like anything carbonated (except beer, lol) so I stick with regular water mixed with different things. Crystal Light also has some good flavors!

LexieCat

I drink tons of unsweetened iced tea, mostly. I'm with you--don't care for sweet drinks (I was a scotch and soda drinker).

If I'm feeling particularly festive, I like club soda with a splash of cranberry or pomegranate juice, maybe a bit of lime.

LosingmyMisery

I like to stick with water with lemon. Sobriety is weird at first. It does get better, though. Hang in there. There was a time I was unable to imagine life sober. Now, I can't imagine life including alcohol.

soberbythesea

I like Pellegrino for when I'm trying to avoid caffeine. Coca-Cola the rest of the time. I know it's not healthy and I probably need to cut down as I don't want to gain weight, but just like LaFemme mentioned, I have been having tons of sugar cravings since giving up drinking (and I was not a huge dessert/sweets person previously.)