Anyone on here given up alcohol. What did you substute it with ?

[CarbonClem]

I've not gone tea-total but have cut down to almost nothing this year. I'd never bothered with alcohol free drinks before during short periods of abstinence but of late have enjoyed Guiness Zero, Thatchers Zero Cider and either Peroni or Corona for a light lager. Makes a change for a weekend evening drink etc.

You still have to get 0% drinks approved in supermarkets

 

[Sharky]

We often get "meal deals" from Waitrose. That's sandwich, drink and snack for £5.

Sometimes we get the "CBD" drinks and you have to be over 18 to buy them! They have cannabis extract in them. Quite a good alternative to alcohol.

 

[All uphill]

Are "soft" drinks and/or alcohol free versions cheaper than alcohol drinks?, not in my experience, 0% Wine is dearer than the "normal" stuff, soft drinks in pubs are exorbitant, an alcohol free G&T is more expensive than a "normal" one.

A big bottle of Ribena isn't too expensive. But, yes, pubs are expensive. I gave them up about 30 years ago.

 

[Hacienda71]

I gave up for a couple of years and used to drink either slimline tonic or tomato juice and Worcester sauce principally because it was still a palatable drink, but I didn't swig them down quickly when people around me were drinking pints,

 

[vickster]

Are "soft" drinks and/or alcohol free versions cheaper than alcohol drinks?, not in my experience, 0% Wine is dearer than the "normal" stuff, soft drinks in pubs are exorbitant, an alcohol free G&T is more expensive than a "normal" one.

He's giving up for health reasons / dr orders not financial ones however

 

[BoldonLad]

He's giving up for health reasons / dr orders not financial ones however

I got that, but the poster I quoted mentioned where had the "money saved" gone, I was merely pointing out that there may not have been a saving. 😂

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I am certainly not alcohol free

but several years ago I was drinking 2 beers and a bottle of wine nearly every night
which was more than a bit excessive

I think I was fairly lucky that I had an incentive - lets just say my guts started to object
and when that was sorted out I got gout which is a great incentive to stop things causing it!!

anyway - I just stopped
since then I have just plain stopped if I am driving anywhere - so going out to dinner with SWMBO is generally alcohol free for me (not her!!)
and I also only drink at home once every few weeks - and I often forget and then realise it is a few months since I last had anything

so - what do I use

well when we are out I drink diet coke (or whatever) as I feel I need the wetness and don;t like the excess sugar in normal coke
and non fizzzy things don;t replace the beer

places that have free refills result in me drinking silly amount of the stuff - especially if the grand kids are there as well!

at home I used to to the same - but with Tesco diet cola which I prefer and tastes of less anyway
and I still drink 1 can of it most days when I am making dinner (tea - in the local language)
but then drink tea the rest of the evening


so cold fizzy stuff when out
and tea when at home


I have tried alcohol free stuff and it just seems "lacking"
especially whisky - tried one that was supposed to be that and it was just pointless

I have tried alcohol free wine and they taste like either they have tried to replace the alcohol with sugar or with something witha slightly objectionable taste

but that is just me

I think everyone needs to find what works for them and work with it
but things change over time



with me the thing most annoying me at the moment is the fact that I can no longer drink most beer due to the Coeliac disease
hence no pint before dinner when we go out and don;t take the car
which I really miss - going direct to a glass of red just seem wrong!!!

but I am sure that will change over time
as will you


good luck -

🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

 

[winjim]

Don't substitute it with another drink. The drink is merely the means of delivery. Substitute it with another activity or hobby.

 

[wafter]

Don't substitute it with another drink. The drink is merely the means of delivery. Substitute it with another activity or hobby means of getting twatted.

FTFY

 

[Animo]

Don't substitute it with another drink. The drink is merely the means of delivery. Substitute it with another activity or hobby.

self-gratifying is ideal

 

[Animo]

self-gratifying is ideal

I didn't type self-gratifying

 

[Dogtrousers]

I have up alcohol about 18 years ago. I'm not sure I did replace it with anything. Certainly not a replacement beverage. In a way it was a relief and a big "good riddance".

Drink wise, these days I drink sparkling water with meals and whatnot. In bars I might sometimes have a Guinness Zero.

 

[presta]

The obvious option that I haven't seen anyone suggest is Adams ale: cheap, abundant, healthy.

Fruit juice isn't a particularly healthy habit to get into, the sugar in it counts just the same as spooning it from the sugar bowl.

 

[Chris S]

Has anyone tried cannabis instead?

 

[king of the mole hills]

Cannabis is excellent at helping you get off other things