<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Well, that question certainly opened up a can of worms! It will take me a century to cut and paste, so here are the high points: Potato Vodka is okay, as most of us know. Wine, the same, except for wine coolers, which are suspect. Interestingly, we are split on whether or not the distillation process renders grains "GF". But if we can't eat candy (cake, cookies) with a bit of alcohol-cut vanilla flavor, if your personal intestine won't handle distilled vinegar, you need to back off of the distilled-grain stuff. The toxicity of any alcohol was addressed repeatedly. There may be either something else going on causing pain, or the alcohol itself is causing it. Then again, she may just be using "pain" as an excuse. I kept certain details to myself, but yes, she's been a drinker since we were teenagers. Many replies addressed the damaged digestive system question, as I had originally asked. I was surprised at how many of us can't even handle the wine at a wedding. I really thought I was the only one. Something to think about. It's possible she needs to let things heal before re-introducing alcohol (in moderation). However - drinking in a bar brings up other issues. The only place I've ever had a drink is at the officers club at Langley AFB, which is very, very clean; I've never been in a "bar", which is why I asked for help. The points brought up amazed me: Are the glasses truly clean? Are they washing the pretzel bowls in the same water as the glasses? Are they combining that last smidgen of non-GF alcohol with the stuff you know is GF? Is it the mixer (Coke, seltzer, whatever) that's tearing her up? Does the guy putting pretzels in the bowl wash his hands carefully before handling your glass, our just wipe his (her) hands on a towel, then clean your glass with it? These are all very good points. Last but not least, for those of you who were kind and helpful enough to offer your own stories of the heartbreak you or your family have/has gone through, I'd like to thank you again. You have my eternal respect for sharing things that had to be tough to reveal, and to repay that I will follow up on the many suggestions of going to Al-Anon meetings. Kathy Live now, age later! Anti-aging supplements, dietary supplements, and vitamins. Visit http://www.hubbellhealth.unfranchise.com/ * Send administrative questions to mailto:[log in to unmask] * Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC