What do you replace alcohol with?
Sobriety is Traditional
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Orcas Island, Washington
Posts: 9,067
My wife and I replaced alcohol with seltzer water. We buy it by the case, and drink it with lime. It satisfies that need for "hand-to-mouth consumption," and because it's carbonated it has a "bite."
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Originally Posted by melki 
Very important! May I ask what is your mental replacement? 
My spiritual replacement is personal. But it was key to my mental state.
Some say not all alcoholism and addiction needs a spiritual solution. Mine did.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,909
Originally Posted by doggonecarl
My sobriety took a both mental and spiritual replacement. My mental replacement has been serenity...the goal of long-term substance abuse recovery.
My spiritual replacement is personal. But it was key to my mental state.
Some say not all alcoholism and addiction needs a spiritual solution. Mine did.
My spiritual replacement is personal. But it was key to my mental state.
Some say not all alcoholism and addiction needs a spiritual solution. Mine did.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 134
Thank you for all the great ideas!
Doggonecarl, that is my fear is that I can drink whatever I want to replace the alcohol, but that "void" that I was drinking to fill will still be there. I know that I drink to relieve anxiety and "take the edge off". I am going to be really busy soon here as I am very involved in my son and daughters football and cheer program. I am ashamed to admit that last season, I often made sure I had beer in my car and would go out during practice, sit in the car for a few and have one.
Doggonecarl, that is my fear is that I can drink whatever I want to replace the alcohol, but that "void" that I was drinking to fill will still be there. I know that I drink to relieve anxiety and "take the edge off". I am going to be really busy soon here as I am very involved in my son and daughters football and cheer program. I am ashamed to admit that last season, I often made sure I had beer in my car and would go out during practice, sit in the car for a few and have one.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Earth
Posts: 164
Ultimately there is no replacement.
Or, I should say, no long term replacement/substitute.
No replacement for the mentality, no replacement for the habit, no replacement for the buzz/high/stupor, and definitely no replacement for IPA's (my personal weakness too).
It has to be a whole lifestyle change. A change of all habits: how we think, feel, view ourselves and the world, how we relate to others, and how we direct our lives. With this kind of work underway, I think we get to a point where there's no need for a replacement
But in the short and intermediate term I also strongly believe in substitutes. I've been in recovery for years from one thing or another. And substitution is key in earlier stage recovery, as you're restructuring yourself and your life.
Or, I should say, no long term replacement/substitute.
No replacement for the mentality, no replacement for the habit, no replacement for the buzz/high/stupor, and definitely no replacement for IPA's (my personal weakness too
). It has to be a whole lifestyle change. A change of all habits: how we think, feel, view ourselves and the world, how we relate to others, and how we direct our lives. With this kind of work underway, I think we get to a point where there's no need for a replacement
But in the short and intermediate term I also strongly believe in substitutes. I've been in recovery for years from one thing or another. And substitution is key in earlier stage recovery, as you're restructuring yourself and your life.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,536
Lots of water with lemon as well as different flavored seltzers. For me, it was also key for my sobriety to throw out my wine glasses and other drinking glasses that were associated with alcohol drinking. For me, these were all triggers. Great question!
Also, not only did I get rid of my wine glasses, I actually put them in a paper bag and broke them all with a hammer. It was really cathartic. Yep, those poison holders are GONE for GOOD.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 859
SoberJulys got it in one.
But as far as the drink went, in the beginning it was sweet apple juice , then I moved on to tea or tonic water .
Now after a couple of years I don't replace , I drink tonic when out but once the focus has all changed, life really does replace all that time spent drinking.
John.
But as far as the drink went, in the beginning it was sweet apple juice , then I moved on to tea or tonic water .
Now after a couple of years I don't replace , I drink tonic when out but once the focus has all changed, life really does replace all that time spent drinking.
John.
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,086
I'm newly sober and there are three drinks that I keep close by:
1. Lemonade. The fizz fills me up!
2. Water with a bit of fresh lime and ice
3. One part unsweetened cranberry juice to two or three parts water.
1. Lemonade. The fizz fills me up!
2. Water with a bit of fresh lime and ice
3. One part unsweetened cranberry juice to two or three parts water.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Earth
Posts: 164
Also, for a special treat: kombucha!
I have heard it IS a risk for some. It can have up to 0.5% alcohol content, and I know that can be really triggery for some people. So just be careful.
Fortunately I was gifted with the ability to safely drink it. Probiotics and that tingly in your tummy that I used to love so much from the IPA's. Settles my stomach, good for social gatherings, etc.
I have heard it IS a risk for some. It can have up to 0.5% alcohol content, and I know that can be really triggery for some people. So just be careful.
Fortunately I was gifted with the ability to safely drink it. Probiotics and that tingly in your tummy that I used to love so much from the IPA's. Settles my stomach, good for social gatherings, etc.
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