Is It Okay to Drink Non-Alcoholic Beer?
When people ask me what my go-to non-alcoholic drinks are, I say:
Sparkling water — my everyday go-to
Diet soda — not something I drink often, but if I’m out at a social event or restaurant, it does the trick
Non-alcoholic beer — for me personally, it’s been a really helpful tool
…but that last one — NA beer — always gets a reaction.
The topic of non-alcoholic beer is one of the most debated questions in alcohol-free and sober circles. Some people say it’s a slippery slope. Others say it saved them. And here’s the thing - they’re both right. Let’s break it down:
Why non-alcoholic beer can help:
It gives you a ritual – You can still have a “drink” at the end of the day without the alcohol.
It satisfies the habit loop – You still get the cold bottle, the crack of the cap, the taste — which hits the sensory need your brain was trained to expect.
It’s widely available – Unlike some specialty AF drinks, NA beer is easy to find, and some of it actually tastes good.
Personally it’s been a key tool. It helped me transition off alcohol without constantly white-knuckling it. And it’s something I still use occasionally without any issue.
But here are the risks:
It can be a trigger – For some it mimics the real thing too closely. That can lead to relapse or obsessive behavior.
It may conflict with your recovery philosophy – Many recovery communities (especially 12-step) discourage NA beer because it can reinforce addictive behavior or give a false sense of control.
Some NA beers still contain trace alcohol – Most are under 0.5% but that’s not technically zero. For anyone in strict abstinence programs that may matter.
So… is it okay?
From what I’ve seen in the field (and what I’m learning through my master’s in addiction counseling) the answer depends on your goals, mindset and history.
If NA beer helps you manage cravings in the early stages and you’re not abusing it or triggered by it — it can be a useful tool.
But if you’re using it to avoid deeper work or it starts to feel like a crutch it might be time to reevaluate.
Organizations like the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) don’t give a hard “yes” or “no” — but most treatment professionals agree: it’s about intention and effect.
Your mission today:
Build your own “AF Drink Arsenal.”
Pick 2–3 non-alcoholic drinks you actually enjoy — and make sure they’re stocked at home and ready when you need them.
If NA beer works for you? Great.
If it doesn’t? That’s great too.
The goal is to create a ritual that supports your decision — not to follow someone else’s rulebook.
-Forest
PS – I’m putting together a Sober Warrior 30-Day Challenge. We’ll have daily missions like this one, a private group for accountability, live coaching calls for support, plus nutrition and workout plans to help you rebuild while you ditch alcohol. If you’re interested, drop a comment below or reply "I'm interested", and I’ll add you to the list.