by MarkD » Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:58 pm
I agree with the above posts, but there is a more important issue at hand. Besides the standard relapse triggers like fatigue, hunger, etc... the biggest is euphoric recall. Yes, the non-alcoholic beer does have a minimal amount of alcohol in it and you should never tempt fate with even a fraction of alcohol the amount is minimal. The real reason is because of the taste and where you are drinking it and with whom. While not being say as good as other beers it still tastes like beer. It has the chance to create euphoric recall. You begin remembering those good old days. Maybe it just starts out with remembering that you had a great time when you were with your old buddies, but then it moves to well it was a good time when you were with your old buddies down at the irish pub. Finally, it moves to yeh the good old days of holding a cold one, etc... Of course what it should trigger is the bottoms or lows that you've hit, the relationships its affected, etc... but it doesn't. No, you cannot have non-alcoholic beer. It is not ok. While I have not been involved in the recovery community in nearly three years I have maintained sobriety by following all the steps, having listened to my home group and sponsor, having read the " Big Book" and others, and not taking any chances. I don't go where I used to go, take any mind altering substances including even antihistamines or decongestants, I am always honest with myself and my family, and I have formulated plans on what to do in case I run into a trigger or situation putting my sobriety into danger. I wouldn't see the purpose of drinking non-alcoholic beer. You probably don't love the taste, and so it would be to take you as close to having alcohol without having it. Takes you much closer to having it.