opinions on non-alcohol drinks

[Thankful]

:new:

Hi, folks. I'm new here and have been reading a few of the postings and enjoying the realization of hope. I was wondering what people's opinions and experiences have been with substituting non-alcohol drinks (example O'Douls Beer). My goal is moderation which is hard because I live with 4 other alcoholics. I drink less than everyone else, but its still more than I would like. It's hard because it is always around me 24-7. They do not support me. I think if I cut back or quit, it really makes them look bad and none of them have any desire to cut back at all. I don't judge and only care that they drink when it causes household problems. I can not move out, so there is no point in suggesting it.
I have no medical coverage, so getting meds to stop cravings is a no go. I will be doing more research on Kudzu though.

I'm looking forward to accomplishing my goals and I hope that I can offer any help and support to anyone else.

Peace.

[nancy]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

I am in favor of nonalcoholic drinks big time. Of course the wine doesn't taste very good but the beer is very good, especially ODouls amber, though it has more calories.

As for your living situation, I strongly suggest moving out if you can't resist temptation and they are bad influences. Your health is priceless.

[betty boop]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

Thankful :welcome: to MWO

Wine is my favourite drink, so when it was early days for me I would have blackcurrant juice in a wine glass .... Now it's sparkling water for me, with the occasional glass of red (i'm mods rather than abs) .

I don't envy your situation with the others in the house, you need to be strong .........

Do they know that you are trying to stop???

BTW the kudzu from here is really good ......

BB xx

[Shikakai]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

I don't know how you can even stand it.

Living with other drunks trying to stop... I would say that's impossible.

It's hard enough watching people on TV drinking; commercials promoting drinking; everybody around you drinking and to have it around you 24/7 has to be the straw that caused the breakage in the camel's back.

Sorry you're going through this. I wish I could go through a 30-day detox at a center, but I can't take time off and I don't have $7,000 either.

[Mike with a dream]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

Shikakai, a friend of mine just went through detox. He told me that it cost him $17,000 out-of-pocket. I find it hard to believe, $7,000 is bad enough. Sadly, he's drinking again, and his wife has filed for divorce.

Thankful, I tried non-alcoholic beverages. They're not bad, but that's not what I'm craving for, so I drink sparkling water instead. Have you tried Kombucha? It's fermented (less than 0.5% alcohol) tea. It's naturally sparkling, but not everyone likes the taste. I do. It's almost like hard cider in taste - at least to me. And it's supposed to be good for you. I've found that it helps with my craving. As far as making them look bad, that's their problem - not yours. When I was vegan (very strict vegetarian), my friends and family tried their best to make me eat meat. As far as I was concerned, it made me special and I didn't mind standing out. I agree with Nancy, if they're pressuring you into drinking, it may be time to move out. I live alone now, but when I was around my mother, who drank whiskey and wine (in moderation, at least compared to me), it was easy to fall off the wagon.

[lukalee]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

The non-alcoholic beer is making me get through today. I am drinking O'Doul's Amber, but Guinness I think makes the best one for kicking the craving because it tastes like a strong, thick beer. Heiniken make a really tasty one too, but it smells really skunky. They are packed in calories, but I am finding today that if you only drink them when you are craving horribly, it's not like downing regular beer, which for me, never stops. Drink a few, and then it's like, "Whatever, I'm over it." But I am taking supplements, so maybe that is why it is working so well today---the combination of it all. I think you need to find what works for you.

[Mattje]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

lukalee33;245662 wrote: The non-alcoholic beer is making me get through today. I am drinking O'Doul's Amber, but Guinness I think makes the best one for kicking the craving because it tastes like a strong, thick beer. Heiniken make a really tasty one too, but it smells really skunky. They are packed in calories, but I am finding today that if you only drink them when you are craving horribly, it's not like downing regular beer, which for me, never stops. Drink a few, and then it's like, "Whatever, I'm over it." But I am taking supplements, so maybe that is why it is working so well today---the combination of it all. I think you need to find what works for you.

Guinness makes a an NA beer?!!? Wow, thatnks for the info. I'll have to try that.

[lukalee]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

Here is a site that rates NA beers. There are actually a lot out there.

Opinionated Beer Page - Non-Alcoholic Beer Reviews

[Mattje]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

Aha, thanks. Beer is my weakness. It's good to see that there are some good German ones on the list, like St. Pauli.

[Reenie]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

Thankful: Ariel NA wines are good, especially the Cabernet and Chardonnay. Guinesse's NA bee called Kaliber is also good. I agree with others. If your roomies aren't family and are strictly that... roomies... it's best you move out. -Reenie

[Thankful]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

Just venting - thanks

Thanks for all your input folks! It's really appreciated.

Unfortunatley, "my roomies" are family. I take care of my 76 yr old dad (who used to drink very heavily and still does so on occassion). My brother lives with us who is on disabilty and will drink (heavily) everyday he has money (even though he has liver problems). My sister, who is 45, will not move out (she drinks 5-6 nights a week, heavily). She is a mean drunk and my father won't throw her out of the house because we don't want her to leave with her daughter. She has a teenage daughter that I have raised because she can't stand to be around her mom who is (you guessed it) always drunk. My older brother visits everyday and if he has to go a day without his drink, he his the most miserable person to be around. He is told to leave at least 3 times a week because of his attitude, but he is always back the next day. So not only am I around alcohol all the time, the stress alone makes me drink more than I should. I'm trying to deal with that better as well.

This isn't a pity me story, just giving the facts. I choose to stay to take care of my dad and my niece. I know it's my choice, it's just a very difficult one. I thank God every day that my niece hates alcohol so much that she has no desire to even try it. She is my inspiration and support. I just hate the disappointed look in her eyes when I open a "real" beer. Ironically enough she understands, because at least she sees me as somone willing to cut back and try.

Thanks again for the info on the NA drinks. Just wondered if they helped or hindered. Some websites say not to have them bcuz they do have a trace of alcohol, so just wanted peoples actual experiences about it.

[Shikakai]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

$17,000.00 and still drinking? uch:

Good grief! So sorry for your friend and his wife. She must have finally had it with him. Seems he just can't stop. How sad.

[lukalee]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

Thankful, It is hard to live with family members like this, but try to use it as a positive learning experience. You already know that you do not want to be like them, so don't. Be there for your neice and do the best you can. As far as the NA beer, that's your choice. But the alcohol content is so small that you would have to drink 10 to equal one average beer. You couldn't possibly consume enough of these to make the least bit of difference. I am actually having fun tasting new ones. Today I am trying Beck's NA;it's not bad.
This is a crutch I am using right now because I am on day 4AF (I cannot remember the last time I have gone this long). I will eventually have to give up the crutch for the sake of my ass!!! I need to lose 14 beer pounds, but I am not going to worry about that until after the New Year and when the bitchiness subsides.

[Thankful]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

Lukalee33 - thanks for your supprt. Congrats on day 4AF. Days 3 and 4 AF are very hard on me as well. I seem to lose it on those days. Good Luck!!

[John35]

opinions on non-alcohol drinks

I'm glad this subject was brought up. I drink NA beer occasionally and have a few in my fridge. Initially I was reluctant to try them because I thought they may increase my craving. They didn't. In fact, some are pretty good, and after one or two the craving is gone. I cannot moderate. It has to be an AF life for me. Discover which you are and be that. You just have to be sure to discern the difference accurately. peace and happiness.