Do you think it is strange for a recovering alcoholic to cook with tequila?

1. 67

   amiebutchkoposted 10 years ago

   Do you think it is strange for a recovering alcoholic to cook with tequila?
   
   One of my friends has recently been battling alcoholism, completed a 28 day rehab program, and has been doing very well.  Do you think it is a red flag if this person uses tequila or other alcohols in his recipes?  Just wondering.....

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2. 71

   dahoglundposted 10 years ago

   I'm no expert, but in most cases the alcohol would cook out of the food being prepared.

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      amiebutchkoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      So you don't think it is strange that an alcoholic would be using alcohol for recipes?  A lot of other people I asked were not concerned either.  This makes me feel relieved.

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   JThomp42posted 10 years ago

   As long as they are not "sneaking" a shot or two when no one else is looking. I find it detrimental to one's recovery by even having alcohol in the house period. It is too much of a temptation.

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      amiebutchkoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I kind of agree...  but of course, I am no expert.  Just was thinking it might be a temptation....

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      JThomp42posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Amie.... I would think so as well.

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   Penny Gposted 10 years ago

   I work in treatment and I would say # 28 days of treatment doesnt even begin to promote long term recovery. Second, Having alcohol in the house and cooking with it especially so soon after rehab would be a huge temptation. Please read my hub  Fixing the whole person. Recovery is an ongoing process and having alcohol around is probably not in a recovery plan.

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      amiebutchkoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I will read your hub!  We were actually away on family vacation when this happened and it wasn't the person's house.  So, maybe, it wasn't such a bad sign, but worried me a bit.....

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      teamrnposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I neglected the HOLISTIC approach to which Penny refers; didn't think of it; her last statement should probably hold true and is probably discussed throughout the 12 steps, exp 10th step. Encourage that your friend join a 12 step group. and follow up

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   teamrnposted 10 years ago

   it is something worth OBSERVING for right now. Nothing more. Usually any alcohol content burns off during the cooking process, leaving only the flavor. However if this serves as justification for 'keeping a bottle of Tequila around,' I'd be skeptical. f you see a pattern: a bottle of Tequila, Grand Marnier, Vodka, Apricot Brandy, Peach Schnapps....
   
   All add flavor to cooked foods: but all can be used to DRINK. Be a friend and kindly suggest that these could be unnecessary temptations to successful recovery and offer to take them off your friends hands. If she gets angry, instead of being defensive, calmly tell your friend that you intended no harm. Let your friend know that you're there to support her. But, be aware that these may be clues that thee is a continued problem that may be bigger than you. But, she has to know that she has a friend.
   
   Annie

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   1. 67

      amiebutchkoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank so much.  This is very heartfelt and good advice.  This person is a family member and we are all long distance (on recent vacation together), so showing support is a bit more challenging, but we are trying very hard to provide it!

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   peeplesposted 10 years ago

   I have known many alcoholics and one thing they had in common were alcohol free environments. They had what they called sober houses. No alcohol was to come in. Friends couldn't even bring it over. Now the people I have known all went through AA, so I don't know if that was something taught in AA or not. To me it seems that it would be a red flag and at least worth watching just in case if you are close to this person. If someone is truly addicted to something they are not going to be able to be around the temptation for a while after treatment because recovery can take a very long time. As others have said, the alcohol burns off so that is not an issue. The real issue is are they sneaking shots when no one is around.

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      amiebutchkoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Peeples, I was thinking the same thing about the temptation.  I would think that if a person was really sober, they would not want to be around alcohol at all...  Thank you for your response.

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      Yousif Mohammedposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with this

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7. 74

   jlparkposted 10 years ago

   Whilst my answer may not sit well with those of the AA Recovery variety, it comes from a place of experience. They may not even consider it 'recovered', or consider the person to still be an alcoholic (though a recovered alcoholic is still an alcoholic anyway). But, I feel that it did wonders for a close friend...
   
   Occasionally, an alcoholic may not completely recover despite the best intentions, however their consumption of alcohol has been changed for the better.
   
   For instance, someone who would drink themselves into oblivion every night (or every other night), attends 12 step type program, and whilst not completely alcohol free, becomes able to be like everyone else and tolerate a drink with dinner when out etc. Maybe I'm the only one who views it this way...and maybe thats because the person I know like this has control over their drinking now, whereas they never did before the Salvation Army program helped them.
   
   Also - some people have husbands/wifes who are not alcoholics and do like a drink from time to time - they are still able to have this, in front of their partner. (know people like this too!)
   
   Anyway - the alcohol is cooked out of the tequila, so if they can resist the tempation, no it's not strange.

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      amiebutchkoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your perspective, jlpark.  I definitely think that this could be true for some people.  I really appreciate your answer.

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      Penny Gposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      If you worked in a treatment center for as many years as I have you would see that really most people's lives are not unique when it comes to this. Denial is one thing that leads to this kind of thinking. In treatment we call it thinking errors.

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      JThomp42posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      One hundred percent agree Penny!!

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   JG11Bravoposted 10 years ago

   As a recovered alcoholic (yes, I've recovered, don't give me any of that "once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic" crap) I'd say it depends.  Personally, I went many years in a totally alcohol-free home and even avoided restaurants that served alcohol.  However, I also love to cook, and I now use alcohol for cooking without any problems.
   
   To have alcohol in the house so soon after a rehab program is not a good idea, however.  It took me years to get to the point where I felt comfortable even throwing a splash of wine into recipes that called for it.

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      amiebutchkoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks so much for your honest and experienced answer.  I really appreciate it.

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   IJR112posted 10 years ago

   Seems pretty unusual to me to be honest.

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   1. 67

      amiebutchkoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, IJR112. I thought so, too.

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