Can You Drink Non-Alcoholic Beer in Recovery?

Alcoholism is a devastating yet common issue in the United States. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 28.9 million people struggled with an alcohol use disorder in 2023.[1]

If you are a recovering alcoholic, you might be struggling with how to have fun in sobriety. People in recovery often have a hard time reconciling that they can no longer go out and have a few drinks with their friends. In social situations, you might feel tempted to have a drink or two.

To overcome this issue, you might think that switching to non-alcoholic (NA) beer is the answer. NA beer is created to taste just like regular beer without the alcohol content. It is important to note that alcohol-free beer is only required to have less than 0.5 alcohol by volume (ABV).

Drinking NA beer might be fine for some recovered alcoholics, but it is a risk. Since these drinks contain trace amounts of alcohol, it could cause you to experience psychological triggers for the real thing.

In this article, you will learn:

• What alcohol-free beer is
• Can you drink non-alcoholic beer in sobriety
• What are the risks of drinking NA beer in recovery
• How to decide whether non-alcoholic beer is right for you

What is Non-Alcoholic Beer?

Non-alcoholic beers are a form of beer that has had alcohol removed or was brewed to contain a small amount of alcohol. These beers are required to have less than 0.5 ABV, which means drinking one will not cause mind-altering effects.[2] To experience the effects of alcohol, someone would have to drink about 20 NA beers.

Alcohol-free beer is made in a couple of ways. The first method involves preventing fermentation during the brewing process. However, this also makes the beverage taste less like real beer.

Another method of creating NA beer is cooking the alcohol out of the beverage after it has finished the brewing process. This allows the taste of beer to remain while the alcohol content is significantly lowered.

While it is unlikely that you would get drunk off of an alcoholic beer, it might not be the best idea for someone in sobriety. Despite these beverages being marketed toward people who do not drink alcohol, they are better for individuals who have never struggled with alcoholism.

Can You Drink Non-Alcoholic Beer When You’re Sober?

Non-alcoholic beers are often marketed towards people who cannot drink alcohol. Some people might do so because of dietary restrictions or a personal choice to avoid alcohol consumption. If you are a recovering alcoholic, you might think that NA beer is a good compromise for you.

It is probably incredibly tempting to have a non-alcoholic beer while your friends are drinking at a bar or a restaurant. While it is not against the rules of sobriety to have one, it might not be a good idea. The taste of an NA beer could trigger cravings, making you more likely to relapse.

What are the Risks of Drinking Non-Alcoholic Beer in Recovery?

If you are considering drinking non-alcoholic beer, you should be aware of the risks. Knowing all of the things that could go wrong will help you make an informed decision on whether alcohol-free beer is right for you.

The dangers of drinking non-alcoholic beer as a recovering alcoholic include:

• Placebo Effect- Drinking NA beer will not get you drunk. That said, the taste could trigger a placebo effect in your brain. Once you experience the psychological effects of being drunk, you might deal with strong cravings for the real thing.

• Triggers- As mentioned, non-alcoholic beer is created to taste just like real beer. If you drink it, you could experience intense cravings for alcohol. Doing so only increases your risk of relapsing, which might be considered an unnecessary risk to your sobriety.

• Relapse- If you begin to consume NA beer consistently, you might begin to think you are cured of your alcoholism. After some time of rationalizing and justifying, you might switch to the real thing. In other words, drinking alcohol-free beer could lead to a relapse.

How to Make a Decision for Your Sobriety

If you are having a hard time deciding whether you should drink non-alcoholic beer, there are some ways to make your choice easier.

When deciding whether to drink alcohol-free beer, consider the following:

• What are your motivations for drinking NA beer?
• Does drinking non-alcoholic beer align with your personal goals?
• How do you define sobriety?
• What does your sponsor or recovery community have to say about non-alcoholic beer?
• Do your friends and family think drinking NA beer is a good idea?
• Is the benefit of drinking NA beer greater than the risk of relapsing?
• Are you committed to continue attending support groups and therapy to ensure you have the support you need to avoid a relapse?
• How will drinking NA beer affect your mental health?

Drinking non-alcoholic beer is a personal choice. There are no rules in sobriety from alcoholism that say you cannot consume them. That said, you need to take a hard look at your motivations for consuming non-alcoholic beer beforehand.

After asking yourself these questions, you should have a good idea of whether drinking NA beer is right for you. If you find that you are too nervous to ask your sponsor whether you should drink alcohol-free beer, that is a good indication that you are doing it for the wrong reasons.

Find Help for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Alcohol use disorder is a chronic and progressive disease that affects every area of your life. Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to physical and mental health issues, social isolation, financial destruction, and more. If you or a loved one struggles with alcoholism, it’s time to seek professional help.

Once you complete an alcohol rehab program, you might need extra support to reacclimate to everyday life. The first few months of independence after an inpatient rehab center can be incredibly difficult. Thankfully, sober living programs can help you adjust to this new period of your life.

At New You Sober Living, we offer the tools and support you need to maintain long-term sobriety from drugs and alcohol.

We are a top-rated transitional living residence for men and women to recover safely that offers co-ed and men’s Oakland Park, FL sober living homes. If you are looking for a comfortable sober living setting, you’re in the right place. We make living in a halfway house successfully by gently incorporating a set of rules, a supervised structure, and the sober support needed to sustain your sobriety for the long term. 

Contact us today for more information on how we can help.

References:

1. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics
2. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): CPG Sec 510.400 Dealcoholized Wine and Malt Beverages – Labeling