We live in interesting times. Almost all of us are connected online, the Pope is from Chicago, and nonalcoholic beverage sales are on the rise. But in all seriousness, you may be wondering if these trendy drinks are recovery-friendly.
Sure, these drinks’ descriptors seem clear: zero-proof, non-alcoholic, no-proof, etc. But could they also feel a little too close for comfort if you’re in recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD) here with us in North Charleston?
Let’s see if we can find out by the end of this article.
What Are Non-Alcoholic Beverages?
Not all non-alcoholic beverages are alcohol-free, and we have to do a little measuring to understand why:
- Alcohol By Volume (ABV) is the standard measurement for the percentage of alcohol in a drink.
- A beer is 4-6% ABV, while a glass of wine may be 12-15%.
- In the United States, non-alcoholic beverages can’t go over .5% ABV.
So while a non-alcoholic drink isn’t actually free of alcohol, it doesn’t really contain enough for you to feel any effects. That’s why some beers, wines, or vodkas may still taste and smell a bit fermented.
At the same time, some non-alcoholic drinks don’t have any fermented component and actually contain 0% alcohol. They may just be mocktails (alcohol-free cocktails) made with juice, syrup, carbonated water, or soda. They can also contain added flavors or aromas.
Here are some other characteristics of non-alcoholic beverages:
- In some states, you can’t buy or sell non-alcoholic beverages inside a shop that also sells wine or liquor.
- Online, mocktails can regularly trend online and may often be presented with health-conscious or guilt-free messaging.
- These beverages are gaining popularity. We even saw a famous beer company advertise the non-alcoholic version of one of their most popular drinks with a 2025 Super Bowl commercial.
- Many popular alcohol manufacturers make non-alcoholic versions of their biggest-selling drinks.
- While there is regulation around no- and low-non-alcoholic beverages, it may not be as strict as alcoholic drinks yet.
- People in recovery for AUD have reported drinking them to help curb cravings, but the jury is still out on whether their risks outweigh their rewards.
Pros and Cons of Non-Alcoholic Beverages in Recovery
One Stanford researcher and an AUD clinician wanted to understand just how risky non-alcoholic beverages could be for patients with AUD. She conducted a study after they told her they were using non-alcoholic drinks to help manage their cravings. At the time, around 2022, there were no clinical guidelines for advising people with AUD on non-alcoholic beverages.
Here are some of the pros and cons she found (plus other upsides and downsides) when it comes to drinking non-alcoholic beverages in recovery:
Pros:
- May help with cravings: Some—but not all—of the researchers’ patients did find varying levels of success in using non-alcoholic beverages to abstain or reduce their alcohol intake.
- Could help avoid awkward conversations: While the study didn’t touch on this, it isn’t hard to see the benefit of drinking beverages that look and smell like alcohol, but can’t get you drunk—especially when you’re at a party or gathering where not drinking could prompt questions you don’t really feel like answering.
- Could help maintain normalcy: When you’re more adjusted and stronger in recovery, you might reach a point in your journey where you can be around alcohol without suffering cravings. At that point, you could want to socialize and feel like you’re partying while still maintaining complete control.
Cons:
- Could cue cravings: Unfortunately, the research did show that these beverages can trigger cravings precisely because they share so many characteristics with alcoholic drinks.
- They can contain trace amounts of alcohol: As we covered earlier, many non-alcoholic drinks contain low levels of alcohol, so any blood or urine test you may have to take could pick it up.
- Sugar content: One dietician pointed out that there’s a ton of sugar in mocktails because of how much high-fructose corn syrup they can often contain. Sugar can also be addictive and damaging to your health.
- Differing regulations: Many countries regulate and dose non-alcoholic drinks differently. In the USA, an alcoholic beverage has much less alcohol than in France, which can contain up to 1.2% ABV, or even in Spain, which allows 1%.
Technically, the cons of non-alcoholic beverages outweigh the pros, but the Stanford researcher pointed out that if they work for you in recovery and keep you on a safe path, they’re fine.
Get Support For Alcohol Use Disorder in South Carolina
If you’re struggling with AUD, Waypoint Recovery Center isn’t here to judge. We can support you with SUD services that actually work. Contact us today to learn more about our programs in Cameron and North Charleston.
