Nonalcoholic Beverages: Something Worth Toasting?

Ever wanted to go to your local bar without consuming alcohol? Research published by, a journal of the Society for the Study of Addiction, states that nonalcoholic beverages are more popular than ever.ճ󲹳’sgood news. Thanks to their growing popularity, new alcohol alternatives are popping up all over the place.

“There’s a growing number of people who are considered sober curious,” says Dr. Mashal Khan, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Ƶ. “These individuals’tgoing alcohol-free. Rather,ٳ’rpracticingalcohol awarenessand reducing their alcohol intake to levels that better match their values and goals.”

Reasons to Change Drinking Habits

There are many reasons why you may considermodifyingyour alcohol consumption and opt for nonalcoholic options when available.Afew of these include:

  • Feeling better.Drink enough alcohol, anddz’rat risk for experiencing drunkenness and a hangover. If you drink so much that you lose your balance, you may also experience injuries when you fall.
  • Improving your health.Over time, alcohol consumption can affect your physical and mental health. Alcohol is linked to, liver problems, depression, anxiety,sleep problems, dementia and more.
  • Making better and safer choices.Alcoholic beverages can impair your ability to make good calls. These lapses in judgment, such as driving under the influence, can have life-altering results.
  • Protecting the next generation.Thereports that children whose parents havealcohol use disorderare four times as likely to have the same issue. Cutting back on your alcohol intake may reduce the risk that your children will drink excessively later in life.

Nonalcoholic Options

Whetherdz’rtrying to keep going afterDry Januaryor just want to curb your alcohol intake,ٳ’snever been a better time. Many companies have taken note of the growing nonalcoholic movement. As a result, you can find alternative drink optionsalmost everywhereyou go. You can even finda number ofthem at your favorite bar.

Refreshing drink options that avoid the effects of alcohol include:

  • Flavored water
  • Mocktails with nonalcoholic bitters (zero-proof cocktails)
  • Nonalcoholic beer (near beer or alcohol-free beer)
  • Nonalcoholic wine
  • Soda
  • Sparkling water

Prefer to drink alcohol on occasion? Dr. Khan saysٳ󲹳’sokay. Just use wisdom. Drink alcohol when it aligns with who you are and when drinkingDZ’tpose a risk to yourself or others.

“What’s most important is that you evaluate your relationship to alcohol,” Dr. Khan says. “Doing this gives you the opportunity to take control of your habits. Unless you have an alcohol use disorder, you may not need to stop drinking altogether, but everyone who drinks should do so in moderation.”

A Sip of Nonalcoholic Options

Today, more people are trying out nonalcoholic beverages than ever before. Should yougive them a try?

  • Reduced alcohol intake helps you feel better, make betterdecisionsand improve your mental and physical health.
  • Drink options with no alcohol include mocktails and nonalcoholic beer.
  • If you choose to drink alcohol, do it thoughtfully and in moderation.

Want help moderating your drinking habits and enhancing your health?Find a doctorat Ƶ today.

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