Itโs easy to understand that someone in recovery from alcoholism should avoid beer, wine, and distilled spirits. But does this also apply to alcoholics and kombucha? Can a person safely consume this beverage without undermining their sobriety?
Are you or a loved one struggling with alcohol addiction? Our team is available now to answer your questions, discuss treatment options, and verify your insurance. Take the first step toward healingโcall us today to get started.
What Is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented drink that can be purchased in stores or made at home. Its basic ingredients are tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast. It may also contain juices, spices, and other elements for flavor.
Kombucha has been a part of traditional Chinese culture for hundreds of years, but it did not receive much attention in the U.S. until latter part of the 20th century. Since then sales have increased considerably, with the kombucha market share reaching $1.8 billion in 2024.
Enthusiasts have stated that the beverage offers an array of health benefits, which analysists have credited for contributing to kombuchaโs growing popularity in the U.S. However, no health-related claims have yet been supported by any peer-reviewed clinical studies.
Is Kombucha an Alcoholic Beverage?
Most concerns about alcoholics and kombucha relate to how the beverage is produced.ย
Fermentation is an integral part of the production of all alcoholic beverages. Since fermentation is also necessary for creating kombucha, some people assume that it must also be an alcoholic beverage.ย
Though this seems like a simple yes/no situation (either kombucha is an alcohol beverage or it isnโt), the truth is a bit more complex.
Most kombucha contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). To put this into context, the ABV of beer usually ranges from 4%-10%, while wine typically has an ABV of 10%-15%.ย
In the United States, beverages with 0.5% ABV or lower are not classified as alcoholic drinks. There are some brands of kombucha that exceed 0.5% ABV (which can only be sold to consumers ages 21 or above), but the majority fall below the limit and are considered to be nonalcoholic.
Can Kombucha Get You Drunk?
Given the miniscule amounts of alcohol that are usually found in kombucha It is virtually impossible to get drunk from this beverage. For example:
- Wine on the lower end of the alcohol scale will have a 10% ABV. This is 20 times more alcohol by volume than a typical nonalcoholic kombucha.
- With a 4% ABV, beer on the low end of the alcohol scale will have 8 times more alcohol by volume than most kombucha.
- Many vodka brands have an ABV of about 40%. This is 80 times more than kombucha.
Even if you were drinking a โhardโ kombucha with twice the usual ABV, it is extremely unlikely that you could consume enough to become intoxicated.ย
Alcoholics and Kombucha: Assessing the Risk
As noted in the previous section, the amount of alcohol in most kombucha is so small that it legally qualifies as a nonalcoholic drink in the U.S. Also, there is virtually no chance that a person could drink enough kombucha to get drunk.
So what does this say about alcoholics and kombucha? Can you consume this beverage and still be in recovery, or does drinking kombucha mean that youโve relapsed?
Answers to these questions vary depending on how the respondent defines recovery and relapse, but most experts advise people in recovery to avoid kombucha.ย
The danger is greater if you drink home-brewed kombucha, which may have a much higher ABV than versions that are sold in stores. But even consuming a beverage with a sub-0.5% ABV means you are still allowing alcohol into your body, which could be quite problematic.ย
In other words, if youโre in recovery from alcohol addiction, itโs probably best to avoid kombucha completely.
Common Obstacles to Recovery
Consuming kombucha is just one of many threats that could undermine your recovery. Other challenges that could push you back into active alcohol use again include:
- Relationship problems: Having a strong personal support network can be an essential component of your recovery efforts. Unfortunately, even apparently strong relationships can become strained or even ruined, which can be a threat to your continued sobriety.
- Mental health concerns: If your alcohol abuse was related to anxiety, depression, or another mental health disorder, a resurgence of those symptoms could undermine your recovery efforts.ย
- Challenges at work: Word-related impediments to healthy recovery can include dealing with a difficult boss or co-worker, taking on too many tasks and responsibilities, and fearing that you may be laid off or fired.ย
- Financial difficulties: When youโre worried about paying rent, buying groceries, or meeting other financial obligations, it can be tempting to turn to alcohol in an attempt to temporarily escape the ever-present stress.
- Holidays and celebrations: Holiday dinners, weddings, and other celebratory gatherings can be inherently stressful, and itโs not uncommon for many of the attendees to be drinking. For someone in recovery, this can be a particularly challenging environment.
How to Respond if You Have a Relapse
The unfortunate truth about recovery is that many people have slip-ups as they work to establish a life that is truly free of alcohol use.ย
If this happens to you, please know that you havenโt failed, and that you can respond to this challenge in a healthy manner. Here are a few suggestions:
- Donโt panic: Overreacting to a relapse can turn a temporary setback into a long-term problem. You may be disappointed, ashamed, or angry at yourself โ but itโs important to remember that you can feel difficult emotions without reflexively engaging in further self-defeating behaviors.
- Conduct an honest self-assessment: Why did you slip-up? Did you encounter a trigger that you werenโt prepared for. Or, in retrospect, had you been struggling with your sobriety for some time before you finally took another drink? Understanding the cause of your relapse can be an important step toward ensuring that it doesnโt happen again.
- Talk to someone you trust: Get in touch with your sponsor, a close friend, or another member of your personal support network. Sometimes, simply putting your thoughts and feelings into words can help you process the experience and determine how best to move forward.
- Go to a meeting: If you participate in AA, SMART Recovery, or another peer support group, A meeting can be a ideal place to address what happened, evaluate your options, and get feedback from people who may have experience with exactly what youโre going through.ย ย ย ย ย
- Get professional help: If youโve been working a counselor or therapist, it might be a good idea to schedule an additional session. If you havenโt been participating in therapy, this might be a good time to start. If you fear that you need more help, there is no shame into enrolling in a residential or outpatient program.
Find Help for Alcohol Addiction in Los Angeles
Serenity Grove offers detox, residential programming, and multiple outpatient treatment options for adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs.ย
With our guidance and a concerted effort on your part, you can stop drinking and start living a healthier life in recovery.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.ย
