Treat for You

[Chelle_]

So while some of us abstain from alcohol, because of choice or illness we still like to join in with the adults ever now and again, especially with the BBQ/summer season upon us!

My liver disease was caused by my blood cancer, meaning I gave up alcohol due to the advice from my GP, I miss having a drink, or at least miss not having to explain myself constantly. Anyway I digress...

A friend of mine suggested I try alcohol free wine, to which I replied with horror - 'I don't bloody think so, tastes awful' but no no....while she was pregnant she tried 'Eisberg'. So off I went on a little hunt and found in in Tesco; Red, Rose, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay' and I have to say - What a total treat, with 0.05% of alcohol the same as Becks Blue they also do a sparkling versions for those celebrations.

I know some of you see no point but I enjoyed a drink, it was never an issue for me. I like to party still (only manage once every 6 months...lol), just I don't drink, this is just perfect for a hot summers evening.

So try it, don't try it....just thought for those who didn't know and wanted a better substitute to sparkling water then here you go!

[h0b0]

Afraid this is not an option for some. My partner had alcohol related liver disease & even after transplant has been told to not even drink theses. Probably ok for others though.xx

.

[Chelle_ in reply to h0b0]

I understand that it wouldn't be suitable for some.

[Paulio]

I'll give it a whirl even though I have not had an alcoholic drink for 3 months now.

[Chelle_ in reply to Paulio]

I've not drunk in nearly 4 years. Was told to abstaine because of the chemotherapy but told by the liver team and the oncology that this was fine! Enjoy! X

[Ticchic66]

I know what you mean.. being a sociable type, it's tough not drinking. I didn't drink at all for 12 months but when my liver doc heard this she told me to take a drink cos I have to live!! So I do now but only a couple and not regularly. I will give this a try for sure. Thanks Chelle. Hope you're ok x

[Chelle_ in reply to Ticchic66]

Ah see I don't drink at all. And I don't mind not drinking. It's just nice to have a little treat every now and again. And I always dilute them with lemonade or soda water depending on what I'm drinking. So they actually have no alcohol. X

[Hidden in reply to Ticchic66]

Hey what was your diagnosis ? Just curious as id love to have a drink now amd again but havent in 5 months now

[Porphyriamaniac in reply to Hidden]

Hi phoenix, this is an old post and sadly we lost the lovely chelle around a month ago due to complications with her much awaited transplant ☹☹☹ xxx

[Ticchic66 in reply to Porphyriamaniac]

Omg Stacie33.. how do you know this?? I’m horrified...I’ve been waiting for her to pop up and tell us all about it.. god love her... I’m shocked to the core and a little petrified.. god bless her RIP Chelle you wonderful brave girl 💕💕

[AyrshireK in reply to Ticchic66]

Michelle had a Facebook blog "Michelle's Liver Transplant Journey" and sadly as Stacie33 has explained poor Michelle never got through her two liver transplants in 24 hours and further post-op complications. She was a real trooper and touched a lot of hearts with her humour and bravery & we all hoped upon hope that she'd pull through. xx

[LAJ123]

Chelle,

A brilliant idea.

Many of my Muslim friends enjoy the occasional 'mocktail'

Adding to what h0b0 said, for those of us who did have liver disease due to alcohol, sadly this is not an option.

Being reliant on alcohol is not just the alcohol, for many its a state of mind and anything that can draw them back to drinking isn't a good idea. Quite simply, it would demonstrate a 'wish' to drink and perhaps indicate that their way of thinking has not changed.

Anybody being assessed for possible listing for a transplant because of alcohol related liver disease would find that drinking non alcohol beer, wine or lager is an obstacle to being considered suitable for transplant.

I'm getting married in August and I'm making it absolutely clear to everyone that they shouldn't feel awkward drinking when I'm choosing to not drink alcohol. I've had my drinking years and now they are over. I owe it to my donor and myself to live a life which is healthy and alcohol free.

Hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather and our post transplant friends are being careful, I'm on factor 50 and wearing the biggest hat I've ever had.

Jim

[h0b0 in reply to LAJ123]

Thanks Jim. Although my partner wasn't reliant on alcohol he too believes that he owes it to his donor family to try and live a healthy life.xx

[Chelle_ in reply to LAJ123]

I fully understand that for some this isn't an option...

[Identity75]

My liver disease is down to PSC, nobody has ever actually said to me don't drink again but as soon as I knew it was my liver causing me issues I stopped completely there and then. I was never, other than in my youth, a big drinker. But I did like my whiskey, a single malt of an evening after a tough day at work, but a glass 🥃 would last me the whole night. For me it wasn't about the alcohol content just the enjoyment of the actual drink.

Now I very much doubt they will ever produce a good non alcoholic whiskey so I'm not holding my breath. But I can relate to wanting something a bit more than squash or water at a BBQ or similar. My chosen alcohol free drink that I recommend is Koppaberg ciders. Perfect for a hot day.

I've tried a couple of the beer options, Becks Blue etc and they are OK but beer was never really my favourite before.

Enjoy the summer guys and gals, whilst it lasts.

[Chelle_ in reply to Identity75]

I like the Kopparberg's too. Mackro do excellent deals on them.

[Ticchic66]

I take maybe 2 drinks per month. Sometimes less. On holiday, perhaps slightly more. It's a very different thing for people who've been alchoholic dependent.. I totally get it. I could not have any and that would also be fine but I just struggle to find a soft drink I like. I get fed up drinking water and don't like fizzy drinks. It's dangerous if you can't control it though.. then I would def not drink at all. Good luck everyone xx

[Dorset123]

For those who miss the odd beer, I find Bavarian lager is ok with a barbecue. This is 0% alcohol rather than low alcohol like becks blue.

[Chelle_ in reply to Dorset123]

I like this one too!

[Chelle_]

So I seemed to have ruffled some feathers - this was not my intention. I understand that some people have an addiction and that going near anything that may resemble alcohol is a no no. There's just a lot of people on this site and this is an option for others. So for anyone I rubbed the wrong way - I apologise!

[LAJ123 in reply to Chelle_]

Chelle,

You most definitely have not ruffled mine.

Non alcohol drinks are an excellent idea and I fully agree with you.

I just wanted to make sure that those of us who are affected by alcohol related liver disease fully understood the possible implications.

No need to apologise at all.

By the way - Wetherspoons, Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's all do a reasonable range. They all sell Erdinger alcohol free which is supposed to be pretty good.

Jim

[Hidden]

hi me personally wouldn't touch anything that is associated with alcohol,it's the substance that brought me to my knees,physically.mentally and spirituality,it isn't the product it self ,I can be around alcohol with no cravings but find it boring after a couple of hours and go before it gets messy,and that is mainly family,,Its frowned upon in most recovery place's and I consider it as a warning sign of relapse,along with high caffeine use,(me personally),but certainly is fine if you have never had a problem with alcohol,also for any alcoholic's like myself is DOES contain ALCOHOL,for me it is a relapse and if it gave me a phenomenon of craving and would probably want the proper stuff ,but don't want to sound like a killjoy to all who can partake,enjoy,

[dooley1]

The red is very good and the Rose sparkling is excellent and it's dry, something you miss drinking soft fizzy drinks or fruit juice! 👍

[Gaynorlowson]

They do a non alcoholic gin and tonic at co op it's really nice with ice on a summers day . It's in small tins in the soft drinks isle x