Relapse Risks for Alcoholics
This information is intended as an aid for group work. In case of doubt about medications, one should always speak honestly with a doctor experienced in addiction medicine.
Hidden Sources of Alcohol
Section titled “Hidden Sources of Alcohol”1. Obvious Alcoholic Beverages
Section titled “1. Obvious Alcoholic Beverages”All alcohol-containing beverages: beer, wine, sparkling wine, liqueurs, and other spirits. There are no exceptions.
2. Mixed Drinks
Section titled “2. Mixed Drinks”- Spritzers, shandies
- Mixed drinks combining alcohol with sparkling water or lemonade
- Homemade beverages such as apple wine, berry wines
3. “Non-Alcoholic” Beverages
Section titled “3. “Non-Alcoholic” Beverages”- Non-alcoholic beer (up to 0.5%)
- Non-alcoholic wine and sparkling wine
- Fermented fruit juices
- Malt beer (approx. 1.4%)
- Kefir
4. Alcohol in Food
Section titled “4. Alcohol in Food”- Sauces refined with alcohol
- Flambeed meat
- Sausage and cheese varieties enriched with alcohol
- Various jams with alcohol additives
- Wine vinegar and wine sauerkraut
5. Confectionery
Section titled “5. Confectionery”- Filled chocolates (Mon Cheri, Tobler-o-Rum, Cognac beans)
- Pralines with alcoholic fillings
6. Desserts
Section titled “6. Desserts”- Ice cream sundaes (premium quality almost always contains alcohol)
- Wine cream
- Rumtopf (rum pot)
- Fruits preserved in alcohol
7. Baked Goods
Section titled “7. Baked Goods”- Cakes and tarts with alcoholic additives
- Stollen
- Gingerbread
- Various small pastries
- Baking flavors: rum and arrack
8. Household Products
Section titled “8. Household Products”- Klosterfrau Melissengeist (80% vol.)
- Herbal spirits
- Mouthwash
9. Medications in Liquid Form
Section titled “9. Medications in Liquid Form”- Cough syrups and cough drops
- Tonics (Frauengold, Aktivanad, Buer-Lecithin)
- Medications in liquid form — consult your doctor
10. Herbal Preparations
Section titled “10. Herbal Preparations”- All valerian products
- Valerian tablets
- Nerve teas
- Calming teas
Tablets - Risk of Substitution!
Section titled “Tablets - Risk of Substitution!”Sleeping Pills
Section titled “Sleeping Pills”- Luminal
- Betadorm
- Eusedon syrup
Sedatives
Section titled “Sedatives”- Valium
- Librium
- Adumbran
- Nobrium
- Distraneurin
Pain Tablets with Stimulating or Sedating Effects
Section titled “Pain Tablets with Stimulating or Sedating Effects”- Spalt tablets
- Thomapyrin
- Dolviran
- Commotional
Strong Painkillers
Section titled “Strong Painkillers”- Cliradon
- Dolantin
- Eukodal
- Polamidon
- Scophedal
- All morphine derivatives and opiates
Stimulants and Amphetamines
Section titled “Stimulants and Amphetamines”- AN, AN 1
- Captagon
- Ephedrine
- Katovit
- Pervitin
- Ritalin
- Rosimon neu
Addictive Tablet Ingredients
Section titled “Addictive Tablet Ingredients”- Bromine
- Phenacetin
- Barbiturates
- Codeine
Alcohol Content of Various Beverages
Section titled “Alcohol Content of Various Beverages”| Beverage | Alcohol Content |
|---|---|
| Non-alcoholic beer | approx. 0.5% |
| Malt beer | approx. 1.4% |
| Lager, Pilsner | approx. 4.0% |
| Berliner Weisse | approx. 2.0% |
| Porter, Ale, Strong ale | approx. 8.0% |
| Strong beers | approx. 5.0% |
| Medicinal wines | 16-17% |
Alcohol Content in Tonics and Fortifying Agents
Section titled “Alcohol Content in Tonics and Fortifying Agents”| Product | Vol.% |
|---|---|
| Aktivanad Juice | 12.0 |
| Ginseng Complex | 34.0 |
| Amarum Stomach Tonic | 19.0 |
| Heart Wine | 16.0 |
| Amol Carmelite Spirit | 70.0 |
| Klosterfrau Stomach Tonic | 29.0 |
| Bilatin | 11.1 |
| Klosterfrau Melissengeist | 80.0 |
| Kumsan Ginseng Tonic | 12-14 |
| Biovital | 16.0 |
| Nerve Tonic Hey | 20.0 |
| Buer-Lecithin liquid | 13.8 |
| Nervosana | 16.0 |
Alcohol Content in Cough Syrups and Drops
Section titled “Alcohol Content in Cough Syrups and Drops”| Product | Vol.% |
|---|---|
| Bronchicum Elixir | 30.0 |
| Cough Elixir | 20.0 |
| Melrosum Cough Syrup | 3.0 |
| Pinimenthol | 56.0 |
| Prospan | 47.0 |
| Soledum Cough Syrup | 35.0 |
| Wick Cough Drops | 27.5 |
Tips for Everyday Life
Section titled “Tips for Everyday Life”- Always read the ingredient list of foods and medications
- Ask at restaurants about alcohol in dishes
- Inform your doctor about your alcohol dependence
- Avoid situations where alcohol is present
- Speak openly with your self-help group about uncertainties
Sources: Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), specialized hospitals, manufacturer information