When James and Steven quit drinking alcohol, they both turned to non-alcoholic beer as a replacement. While Steve discovered a useful tool that added to his social life, James found himself on a slippery slope and ultimately decided to put down the proverbial bottle.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages Defined
Not all non-alcoholic beverages are created equal. From bottled non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirit products to mocktails, how much alcohol they contain can vary from zero to trace amounts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines a non-alcoholic beverage product as having 0.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) with strict labeling laws for manufacturers.Substitution or Addition?
The rise of nonalcoholic beverages also raises important questions about their role in the broader drinking culture. Are they seen as substitutes for alcohol, or integrated into alcohol-free activities like driving or working out? The marketing of nonalcoholic beverages seeks to address these concerns, providing insight into their potential future.“Low- and no- alcoholic beverages are still very much in that nascency phase,” Taylor Foxman, founder and CEO of The Industry Collective, a leading independent beverage advisory group, told The Epoch Times in an email, “I do think the category has considerable legs, as I don’t think most consumers are in an ‘all or nothing mentality’ when it comes to drinking—they want to find a happy medium.”
Low- and no-alcohol drinks are a great solution for people who want to reduce their alcohol intake and maintain a balanced approach. They also appeal to some who want to enjoy a drink while maintaining better control and pacing their consumption, she said. Nonalcoholic beverages can help slow alcohol consumption by extending the time between alcoholic drinks, thus satisfying the ritual of drinking without the rapid intake of alcohol.
The Potential Benefits of Nonalcoholic Beverages
For people who want to reduce or eliminate their alcohol consumption, non-alcoholic beverages can offer a range of psychological and practical benefits.One of the key advantages of nonalcoholic beverages is that they can provide a sense of normalcy in social settings where alcohol is prevalent. Holding a familiar-looking drink can ease social anxiety and reduce the pressure to explain one’s choice of sobriety. This can be particularly helpful in early recovery or for those who simply prefer not to drink but don’t feel like fielding questions about it.
“They’re removing the alcohol content, but people are still able to connect and associate with each other in very similar environments that they once did, without fear of that stigma or judgment,” Justin Wolfe, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and clinical leader in the treatment of substance use, told The Epoch Times.
The act of sipping a beverage can be a powerful ritual, and nonalcoholic beverages can replicate the experience minus the intoxicating effects of alcohol. For many, the taste and sensation of a non-alcoholic drink can satisfy cravings, provide a sense of comfort, and even cue relaxation. Similarly, nonalcoholic beverages can help break the habit of automatically reaching for an alcoholic drink in certain situations.
By substituting an alcoholic beverage with an nonalcoholic beverage, people can disrupt ingrained patterns and create new, healthier ones. For example, replacing a nightly glass of wine with a non-alcoholic alternative can help break the routine while offering a cue to unwind.
Steven, who stopped drinking five years ago, reflected on his experience with nonalcoholic beverages with The Epoch Times,
“I realized that it was not the feeling of being drunk that I was addicted to, but rather the fear of missing out on fun activities that I would rather be doing than worrying about my problems. Now, I can still be out with friends and have a great time.”
The growing variety of nonalcoholic beverages products offers a wider range of enjoyable options. This variety can help reduce feelings of deprivation and provide more satisfaction in non-alcoholic choices.
Non alcoholic beer helped Steven realize that he enjoys the taste of beer itself.
“I can still get the same flavor profile I was looking for to accompany a great meal, such as a burger or wings when I’m out watching the game, without having to worry about becoming inebriated and staying out until five in the morning, which is a win-win for myself and those around me.”
Limitations of Nonalcoholic beverages
While nonalcoholic beverages can offer potential benefits, they also may have disadvantages, especially for people with a history of alcohol use disorder or those in early recovery.Relying solely on nonalcoholic beverages may inadvertently reinforce the psychological dependence on the act of drinking.
He has observed that people who find non-alcoholic beer to be a satisfying replacement, mimicking the taste and rituals of regular beer, sometimes drink significantly larger quantities, opting for 12 as opposed to three or four. This raises concerns that even with just traces of alcohol, this increased consumption could trigger the brain’s reward pathways, potentially leading to cravings and compulsive behavior.
A personal account from James illustrates such risks, who turned to non-alcoholic beer when he quit drinking. However, he found it a slippery slope, requiring more mindfulness.
“For a while, I would have one or two non-alcoholic beers, and that would hit the spot, but then one night, I found myself almost finishing an entire 6-pack alone on my couch, and I had to ask myself, ‘Why?’ so I decided to just keep them to social situations out of caution,” he told The Epoch Times.
Beyond these psychological challenges, nonalcoholic beverages also fail to address the root causes of alcohol use disorder, such as underlying mental health conditions, trauma, or relationship problems. They can become a substitution rather than addressing possible reasons for alcohol use, said Wolfe. This could potentially hinder the development of healthy coping mechanisms and relapse prevention strategies. Switching to nonalcoholic beverages is not a substitute for therapy, counseling, or other evidence-based treatments.
It’s really about asking, “What is my connection to this [drink], and what am I using this for?” since anything can be used in excess, said Wolfe.
The quality and ingredients of nonalcoholic beverages can also vary significantly. Some may contain high sugar levels, artificial sweeteners, or other additives you may not wish to drink. Nonalcoholic beverages tend to offer a high caloric intake with limited nutritional value.
The Importance of an Individualized Approach
While nonalcoholic beverages can offer a hangover-free solution to a night out, they are not a panacea for problem drinking. Given the product category is in its early stages, there is not enough evidence to make a blanket statement regarding their efficacy in helping people cut back on drinking nor their propensity to lead to a relapse in those with any alcohol use disorder.The study found that the intervention group significantly reduced their alcohol consumption compared to the control group at the end of the intervention and eight weeks later. At week 12, they had cut their alcohol consumption by almost 23 standard drinks, while the control group reduced theirs by about five to six. At the 20-week follow-up, the intervention group showed a reduction of nearly 20 drinks, compared to the control group’s of about nine.
In the intervention group, increased consumption of nonalcoholic beverages was linked to decreased alcohol consumption. The study concluded that providing nonalcoholic beverages can significantly reduce alcohol intake in excessive drinkers, and this effect can last for at least two months after the intervention ends.
They found that about 28 percent of adults who drink alcohol had used nonalcoholic beverages in the past year, with nonalcoholic liquor and mocktails being the most popular.
The study also found that people who drank alcohol more frequently and in larger quantities were also more likely to drink nonalcoholic beverages more frequently and in larger quantities. The researchers concluded that adults with alcohol use disorder often use nonalcoholic beverages as a way to reduce harm from alcohol.
All of the existing evidence available thus far stresses the significance of an individualized approach to nonalcoholic beverages.
Wolfe emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, urging individuals to reflect on past experiences and assess their current mental state and support system before using nonalcoholic beverages as a tool to quit or cut back on drinking.
He said, “No matter what you do, if you’re using something to try and get away from you, or to try and fix something or cover it up, it might work in that moment, but you’re always going to come back to you. And it’s always still going to be there until you do the work.”
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