non alcoholic drinks, cheating myself?

drydub

First of all, I've done well since my original post. I've cut down drastically, taken up sport, feeling much better and confident and not as "reliant".

But when headed out, or to a party I'll always bring a few non alcoholic erdingers, drink them, give the impression I'm drinking or trick my own brain I suppose. Am I only kidding myself?

Have read allen carrs book too. Really makes you think, I was skeptical but would recommend

iusedtoknow

I drink those all the time - not to fool myself or anyone else that I'm having a beer, but because I find them refreshing, especially if it's hot out.

You have to do what is best for you - i know some non drinkers that won't touch NA as they see it as a portal into the real stuff (ohh just one won't harm).

But if you don't view it like this...carry on!

souls

I reckon like everything it depends on the person, personally for me that particular shoe, doesn't fit! I tried the 'diet' beers once before…twasnt long before i was back slurppin full fat :O

i think deep down you'l know yourself.

Anyway keep at it! keep us posted

Sunnyisland

This is just my little opinion, Tried them before on many previous attempts and they always kept me attached to the notion of drinking. I view non-alcoholic beverages the way I view electronic cigarettes...I feel like I am "pretending" to drink or smoke. It's the habit and ritual that I am trying to break, so by pretending I feel like I am dragging it out.

Just Like Heaven

Depends on the person. If it's a situation in which I feel I might end up drinking I prefer not to drink anything at all, but will sometimes order them if it's something less peer-social like, watching a match in a pub with my Dad. Completely depends on your integrity/personality/the situation, tbh I'm more comfortable not drinking anything in a situation like a party but I've seen people before being asked why the hell they're drinking that and they can just shrug it off with something like "I'm driving home later/working in the morning etc." even if it's obvious that what they're saying isn't true, if you're one of those people fair play. If I were to find I'd gone to a party with non-alcoholic beers, been drawn in and still woken up with a hangover a couple of times though I'd definitely reconsider my coping strategy

hubba

I personally wouldn't touch them. I wouldn't risk it. I quit smoking 10 years ago and to me it would be like playing with a cigarette and not lighting it, telling myself it's not doing me any harm. To me that's just tempting fate. I wouldn't even touch a cigarette box for years and still am wary of them!

Corvo

When I was off it I found they were helpful in that I could sit there and "enjoy a beer" for an hour or two with the lads and that would suit me fine - but as above -it can be difficult.

Ed The Equalizer

I love them too, my sober life got much more enjoyable when I started drinking them. I love the craic in the pub and the taste of beer and they definitely haven't increased my desire to get drunk.

Admittedly, you're living a bit 'closer to the edge', but if you're ok with that then carry on.

5 years sober now, 2.5 without N/As and 2.5 with...

drydub

drydub wrote: »

I'm drinking or trick my own brain I suppose. Am I only kidding myself?

You only have yourself to impress "my son".

When you decided to combat alcohol you clearly had some goals in mind. You knew where you were - and you knew where you wanted to be.

And now you know how far along the path you are to getting to where you want to be.

And that is ALL you have to focus upon. It doesnt matter what you drink, if you drink, how you drink, or whether it is alcoholic or non alcoholic... or anything like that.

The only thing that matters is evaluating where you started off wanting to be - and how far along that path you have manged to get.