Posted 11 Sep, 2025
Alcohol free beers have become more popular here in the UK, with sales growing by 20% in just a year. What that tells us is that cutting down on alcohol consumption has definitely become more mainstream.
But although switching to non alcoholic beer may seem like a sensible compromise, many wonder – does it actually help you quit drinking altogether? Can it be a tool for sobriety, or does it risk keeping you stuck in the same cycle?
In the UK, non alcoholic or alcohol free beer must legally contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). That’s significantly less than the typical 4-5% ABV found in most lagers, ales, and ciders. In fact, you’d need to drink a huge volume of alcohol-free beer in a very short time to reach even mild intoxication, and even then, it’s still quite unlikely.
There are a few different types of non-alcoholic beers available:
Taste-wise, non alcohol beers now taste more or less like the real thing than ever before, just without the intoxicating effects. But can they actually help with quitting drinking?
Going off the standard pint of beer (5% ABV), it’ll contain around 2.3 units of alcohol. If you typically drink 5 pints in a weekend, that’s 11.5 units. Switching to a 0.0% non alcoholic beer would drop that to 0 units. Even switching to a 0.5% low-alcohol version would reduce your intake to about 0.3 units per pint, or just 1.5 units total, so a 90% reduction.
The short answer is no.
For some people, especially those with a history of alcohol addiction, non-alcoholic beer or drinks in general can trigger cravings or relapse behaviours, even though they contain no alcohol. The taste, smell, and look of these drinks are often designed to mimic the real thing, and that sensory similarity can send mixed signals to your brain.
Your reward system, which is already wired to associate beer with dopamine release, can start expecting the same effects. When it doesn’t get them, this can either leave you feeling unsatisfied (which may lead you to seek out real alcohol) or start reactivating your old drinking patterns.
Also, as we touched on earlier, not all of them are completely alcohol free. If you’re early in your recovery, or if you’ve experienced addiction in the past, it’s wise to approach with caution. For some, it simply just isn’t worth the risk.
It depends on the individual. It can help, if:
It may not help, if:
If you’re someone who enjoys the idea of having a drink, but wants to cut out the alcohol, non-alcoholic beer offers a convenient and socially acceptable middle ground. For the right person, some of the potential benefits include:
However, it’s important to be realistic.
Alcohol-free beer isn’t a magic solution. It doesn’t address the underlying reasons why you drank in the first place, be that stress, trauma, boredom, or social anxiety.
Additionally, some alcohol-free beers still contain small amounts of alcohol (up to 0.5%). It may reinforce the mental association with alcohol, you may still experience cravings, and it might become a gateway back to drinking.
That’s why it’s essential to pair lifestyle changes with physical and mental support, such as the Sober Relief supplement, which targets the biological aspects of alcohol withdrawal and recovery.
If your goal is to cut down, reduce cravings, or test the waters of sobriety, then non-alcoholic beer can be helpful, especially when combined with the right support like Sober Relief supplements.
However, if you’re in early recovery or managing serious alcohol dependence, be honest with yourself: Is this supporting your goals, or quietly sabotaging them? Everyone’s journey is different. What works for one person may not work for another. But with the right information and support, you can choose what’s best for you.
At Sober Relief, we believe in a comprehensive approach to reducing alcohol use. That’s why our supplement is designed to work with your body’s natural systems, to help you feel better, faster, and stay committed to your goals.
Our formula supports your brain and body in recovery by:
Alcohol disrupts your natural dopamine production. Sober Relief helps restore balance by providing brain-supportive ingredients that improve focus and reduce desire.
The nootropic blend in Sober Relief, including Bacopa Monnieri, enhances memory, mood, and mental clarity, all essential during withdrawal and early sobriety.
By supporting cellular repair through NAD+ production (often depleted by alcohol), you may experience improved energy, cognition, and motivation.
With ingredients like MCT Oil Powder, Sober Relief helps fuel your brain with ketones, stabilising mood and reducing the fatigue often experienced when cutting alcohol.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) encourages gut health and serotonin production, which is key to better sleep and mental wellbeing.
