Non Alcoholic Beer
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Scotland
Posts: 3
Non Alcoholic Beer
Hey All,
Only on day 8 here and all is going well.
Anyway, I had a social situation last Friday and opted for a non alcoholic beer instead. I found that really helped.
Does this count as cheating and if not, is this a decent strategy moving forward?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Only on day 8 here and all is going well.
Anyway, I had a social situation last Friday and opted for a non alcoholic beer instead. I found that really helped.
Does this count as cheating and if not, is this a decent strategy moving forward?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,438
I think it's too risky.
Originally Posted by Dee74, a lot
My experience is I don't drink NA beer because 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.
As a former beer drinker I know it ticks all the boxes for me, and opens the door to old behaviour and old thought paterns.
I don't recommend it.
I don't need to know but maybe ask yourself why would you choose NA beer when there's so many other things to drink, though?
Is it really the taste of a beer you want, or are there other things happening here as well?
D
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.
As a former beer drinker I know it ticks all the boxes for me, and opens the door to old behaviour and old thought paterns.
I don't recommend it.
I don't need to know but maybe ask yourself why would you choose NA beer when there's so many other things to drink, though?
Is it really the taste of a beer you want, or are there other things happening here as well?
D
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
One of keys to my success in staying sober was to quit trying to fit into my "old" drinking world as a non drinker. I had to change everything. Aspects of the drinking life had to change. Hanging out where there was alcohol had to change.
Being in a situation where the choice is either drinking beer or a non-alcoholic beer doesn't seem like much of a change. But I'm glad you chose the latter and stayed sober.
There are strategies with less risk.
Being in a situation where the choice is either drinking beer or a non-alcoholic beer doesn't seem like much of a change. But I'm glad you chose the latter and stayed sober.
There are strategies with less risk.
Friendly Folk
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Powers Lake, Wisconsin
Posts: 21,717
Did it make you want to have alcohol in any way? Do you think it might lead into craving alcohol? Was it giving you a placebo effect of having alcohol? If not, I think your choice was what you intended it to be.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 66
Originally Posted by JaimePique 
Hey All,
Only on day 8 here and all is going well.
Anyway, I had a social situation last Friday and opted for a non alcoholic beer instead. I found that really helped.
Does this count as cheating and if not, is this a decent strategy moving forward?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Only on day 8 here and all is going well.
Anyway, I had a social situation last Friday and opted for a non alcoholic beer instead. I found that really helped.
Does this count as cheating and if not, is this a decent strategy moving forward?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: London Ontario
Posts: 113
I bring non alcoholic beer and wine to parties. And when we are outside in the yard BBQing and just hanging around I will have a .5 beer. I've been sober 82 days now and it hasn't lead me to wanting the real thing. I don't miss the hangovers, sickness, bad health, detox. I won't put myself thru that again. However, I like the taste of beer. I'm in Canada and it's hockey season. There's nothing like a cold beer and watching the Wings play 
if you feel like it's making you happy and it doesn't give you cravings for actual booze then have at it. Everyone's recovery and sobriety is different. Do what works for you. take care. Xoxo
if you feel like it's making you happy and it doesn't give you cravings for actual booze then have at it. Everyone's recovery and sobriety is different. Do what works for you. take care. Xoxo
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
Originally Posted by JaimePique
.
Does this count as cheating and if not, is this a decent strategy moving forward?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Does this count as cheating and if not, is this a decent strategy moving forward?
Thanks for your thoughts.
on the second part, it seems that reaching out and asking answers it for you.
just because others can drink NA beer doesnt mean i can or want to. especially when there are a gazillion great tasting non alcoholic drinks that arent produced and bottled to look like alcoholic drinks.
i gave up my right to even attempt it, plus my sobriety is a very valuable posession i have- far too valuable to risk it.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 285
I love having NA beer, but it doesn't trigger me at all. If it did, I would stop drinking it. To me, it's the best of both worlds! It is absolutely not cheating.
Just be honest with yourself. If you desire alcohol when you drink them, definitely stop. If you don't, enjoy yourself as you would with any other non-alcoholic drink.
Just be honest with yourself. If you desire alcohol when you drink them, definitely stop. If you don't, enjoy yourself as you would with any other non-alcoholic drink.
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 2,057
Originally Posted by DreamCatcher17
Even "non-alcoholic" beer has alcohol in it, probably the same as orange juice, but if you drink enough you ll get a buzz, I tried it many years ago. I'd consider that a relapse for myself.
Oh damn I drink tons of the stuff
NEVER would I have thought a soft drink could contain booze
Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,468
Originally Posted by Chilledice
Orange juice has alcohol in it?
Oh damn I drink tons of the stuff
NEVER would I have thought a soft drink could contain booze
Oh damn I drink tons of the stuff
NEVER would I have thought a soft drink could contain booze
Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 75
Just my experience with this...
I tried this year's ago. I found I would still down 6 to 8 NA beers in an hour, the obsession with getting the very next one was still there. I didn't work for me at all, in fact it made me feel terrible.
Imagine drinking 8 soft drinks in an hours period and how it would make you feel.
I tried this year's ago. I found I would still down 6 to 8 NA beers in an hour, the obsession with getting the very next one was still there. I didn't work for me at all, in fact it made me feel terrible.
Imagine drinking 8 soft drinks in an hours period and how it would make you feel.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 319
I have a hard time with this because I was an avid brewer and would have 40 gallons of beer on tap at any point in time. When I decided to stop drinking it was all or nothing, so I don't even want to walk down the beer aisle. I think you're playing with fire, but ultimately it's your choice. If you can make it work, then more power to you.
saoutchik
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 16,202
Congratulations on 8 days JaimiePique. I last drank an N/A beer back in the early 2000s when I was still drinking alcohol. I used to think they tasted revolting and so I personally have not wanted to try one. I have heard that they taste better these days.
What I would avoid would be that "social situation " itself. Stopping is always hard but slightly less so if you stay out of drinking routines and situations. It is not usually possible to avoid them for ever, just the first three months- ish is probably about enough.
Good luck.
What I would avoid would be that "social situation " itself. Stopping is always hard but slightly less so if you stay out of drinking routines and situations. It is not usually possible to avoid them for ever, just the first three months- ish is probably about enough.
Good luck.
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