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Is it OK to drink non-alcoholic beer if you are an alcoholic?

Those who want to make sure they recover from their addiction will want to avoid any alcohol at all. This means they'll want to stay away from non-alcoholic beers. Though non-alcoholic beers are quickly becoming more popular, they're not the best option for everyone.

thearbor.com - Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Ok for Alcoholics?

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Non-alcoholic beer is quickly gaining traction today. But what is it, and is it safer to drink than alcohol? Today, there are several different brand-name and craft non-alcoholic beers, creating more options for anyone who drinks alcohol. Studies, however, have shown that this might not be the best option for some people, like alcoholics who are in recovery. At The Arbor Behavioral Health, our alcohol addiction treatment programs can provide individuals and those who care about them with the necessary information to stay on the path to recovery.

Does Non-Alcoholic Beer Contain Alcohol?

Non-alcoholic beer, also sometimes known as near beer, is misleading. According to labeling regulations, non-alcoholic beer is not required to be alcohol-free and can contain some alcohol. Standard beer varies considerably in alcohol content. The average real beer contains around 5% alcohol per beer. Low-alcohol beer can contain between 0.5% and 1.2% alcohol, and non-alcoholic beer can contain up to 0.5 percent alcohol. There are very few, if any, non-alcoholic beers that are free of alcohol. Some studies have shown that non-alcoholic beers may have more alcohol than listed on the label. Even if it does claim to be .5% alcohol, there may be quite a bit more alcohol in the non-alcoholic beer. Most will contain a small amount, which means they’re not a good option for those who need to abstain from alcohol completely.

Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Safe for Pregnancy?

Studies have shown that alcohol can have serious impacts on the growing baby. The exact amount of alcohol that is dangerous to a fetus is unknown. What is known is that either frequent drinking of alcohol, or a single binge, can damage a growing baby. The truth is that there is no known amount of alcohol that is safe or not. A “safe” threshold has never been determined. Therefore, most women will abstain from alcohol completely when they find out they’re pregnant. However, with non-alcoholic beer, many women may wonder if this is a safer option that enables them to enjoy a beer occasionally. At the same time, they’re pregnant without the worry that a typical beer might cause. Since non-alcoholic beers can contain some alcohol, and sometimes more than is stated on the label, it’s best for anyone pregnant to avoid non-alcoholic drinking beer and regular beer. There is no known safe amount of alcohol, so those who want to stick with the rules will want to make sure they don’t drink anything that could contain alcohol. A pregnant woman who is worried about not being able to drink should let their obstetrician know as soon as possible.

Are there Risks of Drinking Non-Alcoholic Beer?

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There are risks associated with drinking alcohol, but are they lowered with a reduced alcohol intake? In some cases, they can be. Some studies have shown that non-alcoholic beer can help reduce the time it takes for someone to fall asleep or help with anxiety. Non-alcoholic beer, nevertheless, can still contribute to liver damage. It’s still not a safe option for those worried about liver-related medical conditions or who are already suffering from medical issues with their liver. It is also dangerous to those suffering from pancreatitis. Since most alcohol is processed through the liver, even the small amount of alcohol in non-alcoholic beers can cause further damage to those who are already suffering from issues with their liver. This includes cirrhosis of the liver and a condition known as a fatty liver. Those who already have either of these conditions, other liver conditions, or are at risk of developing these conditions will want to refrain from alcohol, including non-alcoholic beers.

Is Drinking Non-Alcoholic Beer Safe for Alcoholics?

Once in a rare while, someone will tout non-alcoholic beer as an excellent alternative for recovering alcoholics, but this is not the case. The claim is that the person can still enjoy a beer now and again without worrying about drinking a lot of alcohol. They won’t be able to get drunk, will not be at risk of driving drunk, and will significantly reduce the amount of alcohol they drink, which could help prevent medical issues they might be at risk for. The problem with this claim is that even non-alcoholic beer can trigger cravings, resulting in a relapse for many alcoholics. Triggers can occur because of the smell of the beer, the act of opening a bottle or a can, the taste of the beer, or just the idea that they’re able to have a beer. These feelings reminded them of when they used to drink, and without realizing it, they can easily switch back to drinking a standard beer and relapse into their alcoholism.

What People in Recovery Need to Consider

Sobriety is difficult, and many people have already lived for years trying to bend as many rules as possible to continue to drink or use drugs. If they have a non-alcoholic beer, it’s just one more rule they’ve bent to be able to continue abusing alcohol. Though they might not be at risk for driving under the influence, they’re not going to get drunk from the non-alcoholic beer, and they are significantly decreasing the amount of alcohol they’re drinking. The fact is, they’re still drinking alcohol. This can trigger a relapse into alcoholism or drug addiction. Another issue is that the amount of alcohol in the non-alcoholic beer might be more than they expect. This means they might end up drinking more than they thought they would. Even one or two drinks at night, while it won’t cause them to be drunk, can trigger cravings and subsequent relapse. Those who want to make sure they recover from their addiction will want to avoid any alcohol at all. This means they’ll want to stay away from non-alcoholic beers. Though non-alcoholic beers are quickly becoming more popular, they’re not the best option for everyone. Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, dealing with liver ailments, or recovering from a substance abuse addiction should avoid non-alcoholic beers just like they avoid standard beers.

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Learn More and Find Support at Arbor Behavioral Health

Though they’re called non-alcoholic, these beers do contain some alcohol, which means they’re not an option for anyone who wants or needs to stop drinking alcoholic beverages completely. Contact us by calling 844.413.2690 to learn more.

thearbor.com - Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Ok for Alcoholics?