Can Alcoholics Drink Alcohol-Free Drinks?

If you’re trying to quit or cut down on drinking, alcohol-free drinks (think 0% alcohol beer, mocktails, and low-alcohol wine) seem like an obvious swap to make. 

Many of them taste like the real deal, and these drinks can offer the same ceremony and social inclusion as an alcoholic drink. 

But swapping alcohol-full for alcohol-free isn’t always that straightforward. For some, alcohol-free drinks can lead to increased cravings for alcohol and even relapse. 

Below, we dive into the potential risks of alcohol-free drinks for those with alcohol use disorder, the benefits (there are some!), and what to consider before you order that drink. 

Can Non-Alcoholic Drinks Make You Crave Alcohol? 

Despite the lack of alcohol, alcohol-free drinks can still make you crave the real thing. 

A 2022 review looked at 10 studies on how no- and low-alcoholic drinks (NoLo drinks) affected people with alcohol use disorder. The results weren’t great.

The study found people’s cravings and desire to drink increased after consuming NoLo drinks. And the higher someone’s dependence on alcohol, the more their cravings increased. 

This could be because alcohol-related cues can trigger a physiological response.

Another study found that just the taste of beer can trigger a release of dopamine, even when there’s no effect from the alcohol itself. Participants said the taste alone led to an increased desire to drink.

Is There A Risk Of Relapse? 

An increased desire to drink isn’t just an uncomfortable feeling. It may lead to drinking more alcohol than you’d like or breaking your sobriety. 

“Even beverages labeled “non-alcoholic” often contain trace amounts of alcohol,” says Dr. Charles Sweet, MD, psychiatrist and medical advisor at Linear Health. “This small amount, combined with sensory cues such as smell, taste, and aesthetics, can trigger cravings and reawaken old behavioral patterns.”

It’s true. While many of us use the terms interchangeably, there’s actually a difference where Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules are concerned: 

• “Alcohol-free” drinks are drinks that contain no detectable alcohol
• “Non-alcoholic” drinks must contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV)
• “Low-alcohol” and “reduced-alcohol” drinks must contain less than

But there’s a risk of relapse even with truly alcohol-free drinks.   

Keesha Scott, co-founder of Guardian Recovery, has been sober for 23 years herself. 

“Even if a beverage contains 0.0% alcohol,” she says, “the behavioral and emotional associations can undermine the psychological distancing from drinking behavior that early recovery often requires.”

She’s seen non-alcoholic drinks lead to cravings and relapse among patients and peers alike. 

The Benefits Of Alcohol-Free Drinks For Alcoholics

It’s not all bad news. If they don’t affect your cravings or behavior, you might find alcohol-free drinks are a useful swap, even if you have alcohol use disorder. Here are some potential benefits. 

Comfort & Social Inclusion 

Having a drink that looks like alcohol at a social event can give you a feeling of inclusion and normalcy. It might mean you get fewer questions about not drinking, or can avoid offers of a drink. 

“For some, alcohol-free beverages can be a sort of bridge, especially in early recovery,” says Dr. Sweet, adding that they may help some “socially or psychologically adjust to a life without alcohol.” 

“These drinks can also reduce feelings of isolation or “missing out” in social settings where others are drinking, especially if a person finds comfort in the familiar taste or ritual of drinking,” he says. 

Reduced Alcohol Consumption  

Alcohol-free drinks can also help with harm reduction, especially if you’re trying to cut down on drinking, rather than quit altogether.  

Research on people who drank heavily (but weren’t diagnosed with alcohol dependence) found that drinking non-alcoholic beverages helped them reduce their overall alcohol consumption. 

What about those who are more dependent on alcohol? The results could be the same. 

A 2024 study found that among those with alcohol use disorder almost 68% said non-alcoholic drinks helped them drink less alcohol. 

Enjoyment 

You might find you can simply enjoy the taste of alcohol-free beer or wine without it leading to anything more. 

“Mocktails, in particular, have become a creative outlet for many in recovery,” says MJ Gottlieb, CEO and co-founder of the sober app Loosid. “We’ve seen people rediscover their love of entertaining or mixology by crafting unique drinks that feel celebratory without any of the risk.”

What To Think About Before You Drink Alcohol-Free Drinks 

Alcohol-free drinks may be suitable for you, depending on your relationship with alcohol, your history of relapse, and how these beverages affect your goals — whether that’s moderation or abstinence.

If you’re early in recovery, it might not be worth the risk right now. But if you have a more stable relationship with alcohol, you may be able to enjoy them without any negative consequences. 

Weigh up the potential benefits versus risks for you personally. Start by asking yourself these questions: 

• Why am I having this drink? For taste? To relieve stress? To satisfy a craving? 
• Would I feel in control if I had a drink that looks, smells, and tastes like alcohol? 
• Would I be just as happy having a soft drink that doesn’t mimic alcohol? 
• Will being in a drinking environment (like a bar) affect my recovery or ability to moderate alcohol? 
• Will this drink reinforce a habit I’m trying to break (like unwinding with alcohol at the end of the day)? 
• Do my support systems think having an alcohol-free drink is a good idea?

If you’re unsure, Dr. Jason Kellogg, psychiatrist and medical director at Hotel California by the Sea, suggests erring on the side of caution. “Stick to what you know will not harm your recovery journey, and always surround yourself with support, not pressure. Avoid any triggering places, people, or drinks (no matter how flavorful and fun they may look).”

If you go ahead with an alcohol-free beverage, make a note of how you feel during and after the drink. Look out for any changes in your cravings or behavior.

Honest self-reflection and awareness can help you figure out if alcohol-free drinks are right for you, and you might find this changes over time.

Want to Cut Down or Quit Drinking?  

Depending on your personal triggers and where you are in your journey, alcohol-free drinks can be a useful tool. But they can also be a slippery slope toward more alcohol consumption (the real kind).

If you’re concerned about your drinking, Oar Health’s medication support might be right for you. You can access FDA-approved medication to help you drink less or quit.

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