Substituting alcohol for af

[Jeffsmeffsmiff]

This is basically what I've been doing. I think part of my alcohol problem is wanting to "fit in" or a habit. So AF does scratch both of those itches. Is it a bad idea long-term though? Because I'm still focusing on having a drink? I'm definitely keeping the method till January but should I try and break away after that? I'm just wondering if it's an inevitable slippery slope? Thoughts appreciated. Thank you
And merry Christmas

I have avoided AF drinks, just because I don’t want to be reminded of how much I love the taste of wine or whatever, and get tempted to have a real drink. Lots of people seem to enjoy them though so keep doing whatever works for you.

Merry Christmas OP. I did AF for about a month, I realised that part of my problem was the love of opening a bottle if wine fixing up a G&T. I drank AF with all the nice side trimmings until I realised I was paying a lot for basically flavoured water, so then I'd just drink cordial and tonic in the glass, and then I realised I didn't even need to do that. Do what works for you to get you through the festive period and then maybe reevaluate, if you want. Best of luck x

Do what works for you. I think af is good in that you won’t be getting the negative effects (short term and long term) of alcohol. As you say, for some people, it may be problematic as it encourages drinking alcohol-like drinks so are you really kicking the emotional dependence? I think if that dependence is just wanting to fit in then that doesn’t sound problematic and if you didn’t address that by using af then you’d just go back to drinking alcohol.

I basically think that in your specific case it sounds fine. Massive well done for your sobriety! It takes lots of self-awareness and strength to recognise alcohol dependence and go sober. I hope you enjoy your Xmas day!

We started off with a lot of AF versions of drinks but slowly moved on to naturally AF drinks as we felt we didn’t need the alternatives any longer. So maybe it is just a step by step process.

It depends on what you feel comfortable with. I don’t think there’s any issue with using AF (although others may say differently- I believe it’s frowned upon by AA). I found it really helpful in the early days, and still drink AF wine at home.
I agree though that after a while it becomes less of an issue, and now when I’m out I’m just as happy with a cranberry juice in a pub as an overpriced 0 gin.

For me, a lot of it is about the glass, because I used to use it as a “prop” - I talk a lot with my hands and having a wine glass to wave around added to my point! I got my DH to get AF Prosecco so I’d have something to drink in a flute this morning.

And congratulations on being AF at Christmas!

I’ve found AF drinks a really helpful tool. It’s nice to have a drink that isn’t sweet or doesn’t feel like a kids drink. And it can be a healthy ritual. Less so now but in the first few months I’d have one or two at the time I’d often start drinking. They were healthy drinks and hydrating. Certainly better than a coffee or a sugary fizzy drink. I’m not as bothered now, but I still have them a few times a week. It’s just about creating new habits and ultimately it’s not a bad habit, if it works to keep you going in the right direction.

I’ve been AF for a year and a day and drink AF cider and lager. I was a big wine drinker but don’t like AF wine. It’s been a big help to me.

I can understand the appeal of alcohol free drinks like spirits, wine and beer, but I have personally found them a bit triggering in my recovery. I also find them quite expensive. Sometimes it’s nice to have a fancy alcohol free drink so I buy the Trip CBD cans which are lovely for special occasions, but they are quite pricey. The multipack is good. At home I have lots of herbal teas, hot lemon water etc. If alcohol free substitutes are working for you and you are not thinking about having a ‘real’ drink all the time (like I was) then keep doing what works for you.

I think as others have said it's each to their own, but I've been dry for 2 years now and have found AF drinks really helpful. I mainly drink AF lagers and ales, then occasionally Nosecco, O% gin and mocktails. The latter 3 are all a bit of a gimmick I think, very much about simulating the 'sense of occasion' we associate with drinking alcohol, but they work for me now and again. I found myself very reliant on the AF beers in the early days but have cut down a lot, which all feels very positive.

I used AF drinks quite a lot when I first stopped, I found them helpful. Almost 2.5 years in I rarely bother now

I think AF gets boring quickly but excellent as a placebo for social situations.
I genuinely enjoy hoppy craft AF beers though and the 0.5 % still make me pleasantly tipsy.