Is NA Beer and Wine OK?

[Getting There]

On day 9 AF - feeling pretty good. I have been having 2 - 3 "drinks" per day using non alcoholic beer and wine. Today my husband expressed concern that this was not a good idea and that it really was keeping me dependent on alcohol by replacing alcoholic drinks with these. They really seem to help me make it through so I disagreed with him and told him that this was my journey and to not put pressure on me. Any experience or thoughts on this?

[Bean]

Is NA Beer and Wine OK?

I agree with you GT. I am now moderating (but only started in July so early days) after 3 months straight AF earlier this year and then mostly AF (perhaps drinking twice a month). I was delighted to 'discover' AF beer about 18 months ago and personally would say I find it very helpful in remaining AF.

The fizz gives me a little buzz and I like the taste of it. I must say though that when I first found it, I was still in the mindset of drinking everyday and I would drink 3-4 AF beer everyday so I think my mind was still craving some sort of hit. I don't think this is a 'healthy' mindset so I would agree with your husband there that it may be keeping the dependency alive. How would you feel about going completely AF? I know these are AF drinks but if they are helping you through then they are somehow 'different' to other soft drinks and you may need to look at your connection to them in that way.

I think that being completely AF for a sustained period is really helpful to break that mental connection. These days I drink AF beer 1-2 times a week and have found it helpful in diverting AL cravings on many occasions. I am used to being AF for days at a time and that feels really good too.

I've never found an AF wine that I like so I don't buy it.

Ultimately if your goal is to be AF and AF beer and wine help you achieve that goal, I can't really see what the problem is. However, if you find that you are dependent on them (which is possible even though they don't contain enough AL to get drunk on) then you might want to try being completely AF. It doesn't have to be black and white - say 3 nights a week you are totally AF and the others you can have AF beer/wine if you want it.

I know others here will disagree with me and agree with your husband but that's ok. You just have to figure out your own way. 9AF days is great.
Good Luck!
Bean

[Doggygirl]

Is NA Beer and Wine OK?

Hi Getting there. Congrats on going 9 days without your usual drinks - that is awesome! I remember all too well how tough those early days can be.

I agree with Bean at the end of the day - do what works for YOU!!

You probably already know this but just in case not (and for others who might read this thread) AF beer and wine and not really AF. As an example, O'Doul's contains .5% alcohol. Most regular beers (US) contain 4.5 - 6% (I don't know about more exotic beers!). So the "AF" beer does not have a LOT of alcohol by comparison. But it does have some. Some people are concerned about that and others are not.

Early on in my sobriety, I drank AF beer sometimes to help me through social situations. And it really did help on those occassions in my first year of sobriety. I personally didn't feel comfortable making it an "at home" habit or daily habit. For me, it felt a little too close psychologically to the real thing.

All of that just food for thought. The most important thing is not going back to full blown AL.

DG

[Lavande]

Is NA Beer and Wine OK?

Hi Getting There,

I don't personally drink any of that stuff but if you feel it's helping you stay away from the real stuff - then go for it

It's not really any different from using nicotine replacement products when you quit smoking. I did as it was recommended by Quitnet.

Congrats on your 9 AF days

Lav

[Getting There]

Is NA Beer and Wine OK?

Thanks, DG and Bean - That is definitely food for thought. I know that AF beer and wine does have a little and I was just so annoyed that he was killing my good mood about not drinking full blown AL for 9 days. Now that I have thought on it a bit I see his point. DG - I really like your idea of not making it a daily habit or an at home habit. I started doing it to help me through social work situations which as you pointed out is very helpful to me . I am going to try that and not buy any more for home use. Thanks your feedback and for supporting me in "what works for me".

GT