Switching a pint or gin and tonic for a non-alcoholic imitation may, for some people, make them more likely to fall back into drinking alcohol. Ian Hamilton, associate professor in addiction at the University of York, said: 'While they don't contain alcohol, they can taste very similar – something the alcohol industry has improved in recent years. For some people this could trigger a craving for the equivalent drink that does contain alcohol.' Rather than opting for traditional alcohol-free alternatives such as zero per cent beer, experts suggest different substitutes may be more helpful. Dietitian Katie Sanders said: 'Alcohol-free alternatives can be a brilliant tool, but they're not all created equal.

Source: Daily Mail January 10, 2026 20:54 UTC