I've never heard of anyone relapsing after drinking grapefruit juice or milk. But I have heard many stories of relapse after consumption of Near Beer, De-Alcoholized Wines or Sparkling Grape Juice. If we are looking for some vicarious pleasure from a beer stein or wineglass, we are in a slippery place. Is it worth dying over? Have a coffee or soft drink instead.
Mine was peach cider from Safeway, cause that was one of my favorites. A huge glass of ice, then cider, and I pounded it back like it was the real thing. I drank alcohol shortly after.
ReplyDeleteC.T. - Kamloops
No, it's not worth dying over...but why do people insist on having that near beer or whatever......don't understand it as I don't even like the taste of alcohol so why would someone go to extremes for that??? S.L. Kelowna
ReplyDeleteFrom R.N.
ReplyDeleteSomething just doesn't seem right about this kind of behavior, I would double check my motives...
From D.C.
ReplyDeleteI had a brother in law who was in the program and he used to drink two cases of the stuff. Now he is a mess, drugs booze, he does it all, and his mind is gone.
From K.E.S.S.
ReplyDeleteThis is realy so true, I had an AA friend, he drank non alcohol beer for 12 years - then got drunk. Cunning, baffeling and powerfull.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFrom W.S., Georgia
ReplyDeletei just fired my sponser because I found out he was sippin on near bear. They told me when I got here that if I wanted to drink near beer I better be near a detox!!!!
From P.N.
ReplyDeleteMe too and it toying with life and chancing getting majorly triggered to pick up again....It has alcohol.....Jeez!...Doesn't matter how much, it does and can set off that craving.......I don't chance it...Tastes crappy anyway...♥
From R.G.
ReplyDeletesit in a barbers chair long enough you WILL get a haircut
From K.P.
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY , dont tease a man ! lol
So True !!
ReplyDeleteFrom Greg.C.
From Dean F.
ReplyDeletei don't think its the fake beer or wine but the not letting go of old idea's and practices
From Julia P., Washington
ReplyDeleteNon-alcoholic beer has alcohol in it. Sparkling juices do not. My kid and I will drink sparkling juice at the holidays and such, but no pretend beer or wine for me, thanks
Read the label. It says "LESS than .05% alcohol", which includes zero. That's just a tax regulation. It's not considered "beer" unless it's over .05. Orange juice and tomato juice have about double that amount of alcohol. As Dean points out, there's too much association with real drinking when you have a non-alcoholic malt beverage. Smells like beer, tastes like beer, etc. Don't think it's a good practice.
ReplyDeleteJohn L.
Over 25 years ago an old friend of mine decided he was going to get sober and started drinking non-alcoholic beer. Problem was that he was drinking a case of it per day, of course within a very short period time he was drinking full time again.
ReplyDeleteDawn L.F., Newport
Im not going to Lie, I would and do drink it if its there and I,m not going to say sorry because its not that big a deal for me. I dont read that much into it. I,m an alcoholic, when I drink I crave more and more and more until I get smashed to pieces, when I drink non-alcoholic beers I drink 2 to 4 and thats it. I dont drink aftershave or melted boot polish so before all of you get self rightious not everyone is going to relaps because they have a non-alocholic drink after all isnt coke a.....JD and Coke without JD . I have 7yrs10mnt and no intrest in Boozing Thank you Very Much. GODBLESS.
ReplyDeleteConner F.
Im going to get this one in . What does the BIG BOOK say. Connor F.
ReplyDeletedon't think they had Near Beer in 1939
ReplyDeleteDean F.
ive seen many who drank phony booze of all kinds , and i believe most are still sober , the one's that aren't never gave themselves completely to this simple way of life . i don't drink phony booze , just a preference
ReplyDeleteDean F.
if it has any alcohol in it i have no business drinking it...do you want to stop drinking alcohol is not a trick question
ReplyDeleteJim H. Manitoba
One New Years Eve at Ray N's house we were all toasting with sparkling cider in plastic tiny glasses and my sponsor said "why are we pretending we're drinking?". Just about everyone including me put their glass down. Happy New Year to all of us.
ReplyDeleteVirginia B.
There was lots of near-beer produced in the first months of Prohibition-Bevo, Stroh's Temperence, Pilsner Light, Pablo, Vivo, Famo, Nearo. Sales collapsed after a few months. Consumers missed the alcohol content. Brewers responded to the flat sales by producing huge quantities of malt syrup. Just add water, yeast, and time.
ReplyDeleteJohn L.
I bet sales collapsed dramatically. There was only one reason that I ever drank, never could be a social drinker.
ReplyDeleteDawn L.F.
Oh Yeah....I don't need the taste in my mouth. When my wife and I go out for dinner, the waitress/waiter will always ask,"Would you like a drink,sir." I tend to look at their mini-bar and ask, "Is that all you Have?' OR " No Thanks, I have an appointment next week." I get lots of blank looks, but occasionally they catch on ( either in The Program, or familiar with it.) and then I order Iced Tea. I know people who have gotten in trouble when their "virgin " whatever turns out to be the real thing. Iced tea pretty much always looks like Iced Tea.
ReplyDeleteJoe S. Canada
Sad but there are those, fellowship members, at least where I am, who will fight for the right to do this... and then even pass it on to newcomers...
ReplyDeleteMark W.
ginger ale is the best...
ReplyDeleteHobie G.
For me, the sound of ice clinking into a glass from the icemaker is a trigger. I don't need to add any other triggers to my life
ReplyDeleteFrom Thomas D.
Love this - I thought I could drink "de-alcoholized wine" - It left me wanting the real deal!
ReplyDeleteVicky M.
I am a recovering alcoholic and on a hot day after chores I like a non cooler. I drink about four a year and I'm not even close to relapse! I don't drink coffee because it is horribly bad for you, and as for soft drinks, ask your Dr. about the stuff in pop, blow your mind! Not saying it's dangerous for some but I seem to be doing O.K. Billie M, British Columbia
ReplyDeleteFrom Sheri B., Vancouver:
ReplyDeleteWhen I was pregnant with my daughter I craved the taste. I was already sober a couple of years and honestly it had nothing to do with getting loaded (i didn't want the feeling or the alcohol in it) it was a pregnancy craving and (apparently it is quite common simething to do with the fermented yeast) thought about buying fake beer, but decided not to, because I didn't think it would taste the same. Anyways my dad does drink it has for years, but not very often.
Conor...The Big Book says we allergic types can never safely drink alcohol of any type. Read the Doctor's Opinion. Perhaps you are not a real alcoholic and don't experience the phenomenon of craving. I don't know. But I've known several alkies who relapsed on near beer.
ReplyDeleteFrom Jerry O.
Kinda like "smoking" candy cigarettes.
ReplyDeleteFrom Gerry S.
Why would anyome want to drink non alcoholic beer?
ReplyDeleteAndrew H. Hong Kong
The breweries and distilleries of America would like to take this opportunity to thank all the alcoholics and heavy drinkers of America for their continued support. You have made us who we are today. Happy New Year and bottoms up. And remember, "drink responsibly", hehehe.
ReplyDeleteJerry S.
i was a anti socail drinker even my innerself hated drinking with me
ReplyDeleteCarl L.
Why would you want to look like you are drinking ? Thomas D.
ReplyDeleteso called near beer still has alcohol in it, just read the label. Tina H.
ReplyDeleteNear beer is for Near Alcoholics John W.
ReplyDeleteNonalcoholics in AA also drink wine for religious worship. No allergic reaction, you're nonalcoholic. Simple. AA system this, not me. Eddie K.
ReplyDeleteI hated the taste of booze... I drank for effect, why would I do that? Lenny C., New York
ReplyDelete