Could I Be a 'Dry Drunk'? What Is A Dry Drunk Anyway?

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What exactly does the term 'dry drunk' mean?

The terms dry drunk or dry drunk syndrome are often tossed around. But what is a dry drunk, exactly? It is not a medical diagnosis, but rather a distinction between an alcoholic who is simply not drinking and one in active alcohol recovery.

Confused yet? Are we splitting hairs? If I am not drinking that is enough, right? In order to be active and growing in addiction recovery, we must work on the addictive mind set.

Just keep on reading and hopefully the question of what is a dry drunk will be answered for you. 

Dry Drunk Relating To Relapse 

What is a dry drunk, and the 'dry drunk syndrome' as it is sometimes called? It can best be described as someone who fits one of two conditions. The first is someone who has given up drinking and drugging and not made any internal or emotional changes, they stay the same but the substance is gone. Or in the second case what was once someone abstinent and on a progressive path of recovery has slowly returned to chaotic and unrealistic thinking.

Being active in your addiction sets up many trains of thought, attitudes, feelings, and actions that are problematic. Simply removing the alcohol or drugs without changing these underlying factors will produce a dry drunk syndrome. The dry drunk really refers to a condition and not the person. It is important to recognize a reversion back to our old ways of thinking and acting, or lack of progress in moving forward in recovery.

The dry drunk can be a precursor to the beginnings of relapse, the AA Big Book describes this condition as being "restless, irritable, and discontented". This set of attitudes can apply to anyone who is chemically dependent, or even those were not.

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Spirituality And The Dry Drunk 

In the 12 step program there is a lot of talk about it being a spiritual program, and people having spiritual awakenings. This is actually a 'Dry Drunk' changing his attitudes and personality.

Hear me out on this. The original AA authors added an Appendix on the spiritual experience from which I quote "The terms "spiritual experience" and "spiritual awakening" are used many times in this book which upon careful reading, shows the personality change sufficent to bring about recovery..."

A dry drunk is someone who has NOT effected a personality change, thus will not recover. They stopped drinking but have done no work on 'issues'. Their chances are less than those who begin to address personality issues.

Comments, Ideas, Questions? 

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  • Reply
    mary mary Nov 14, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
    My husband is a addict and a Dry drunk. Anger comes out of his mouth everyday. But I take care of everything beceause he is so dishonest. I'm always in his way he abuses me all day long. He needs a job. I watch the kids what does he do goto meetings and his attitude is still the same old way. I hate him.
  • Reply
    Sober JK Sober JK Jul 22, 2009 @ 1:37 am
    AA meetings are full of dry drunks, especially in their first year or two of sobriety. Its easy to pick them out--still dreaming of the 'fun' times and crazy situations they used to get themselves into and the blissful release they imagine that alcohol brings. Unless they push through that, they almost to a person, start to drink again. Some will come back and try again which is great but until some (most) of the destructive resentfulness is lost, the pathetic vain gloriousness and self centredness is gone they remain 'dry drunk'. I think its a stage that most recovering alcys do through.
    Anon (sober 5 years)
  • Reply
    In my dreams... In my dreams... Jun 5, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
    I am addicted to alcohol in my mind but NOT physically. I hate the taste of alcohol ... But in my mind i always want to get drunk. Today i had the same syndromes as a dry drunk. Do you think i was? Or could have been? If you think so, please please please email me at ray.the.kater@gmail.com thanks!!! x x x
  • Reply
    In my dreams... In my dreams... Jun 5, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
    I am addicted to alcohol in my mind but NOT physically. I hate the taste of alcohol ... But in my mind i always want to get drunk. Today i had the same syndromes as a dry drunk. Do you think i was? Or could have been? If you think so, please please please email me at ray.the.kater@gmail.com thanks!!! x x x
  • Reply
    AndrewGreen AndrewGreen Apr 16, 2009 @ 3:56 am
    I do enjoy the odd pint, but not enough to get drunk. I certainly couldn't get drunk every single night, although i do know people who do. Nice lens. I think this is a big subject which you have touched on.
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by billurell

Hello. I'm Bill Urell,an addictions therapist at a leading residential treatment center. I teach healthy life styles and life skills. I have 15 y...

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