Dry Drunk Syndrome: What It Is and How to Cope

People recovering from alcohol misuse or addiction often experience difficult, painful emotions. They might feel frustrated or angry, struggle with their desire to drink, or express a lot of negative thoughts. It’s not always easy to open up about alcohol use and recovery, especially to people who don’t have any experience with it, but it’s a crucial part of the process. The characteristics of this phenomenon may share similarities with the feelings and behaviors you might experience while still drinking. As we navigate through this layered aspect of alcohol use disorder, we’ll uncover its signs and equip you with insights for a comprehensive recovery. Complacency is not only an attitude of somebody with Dry Drunk Syndrome, but also a red flag for anyone who is well into the relapse process.

For instance, when we judge ourselves to be better than others, we generally set up situations that inflate our own ego. While, on the other hand, when we judge ourselves to be much lower than others, we also wind up feeling bitter and having low self-esteem. To be grandiose doesn’t necessarily mean that the person has to believe that he or she is the best. In fact, it can also be exhibited by simply seeking attention through playing victim or sitting on the pity pot.

While detoxing from alcohol is part of the process, the work of addressing the issues that led to addiction requires far deeper work. Alcoholics dealing with dry drunk syndrome feel overwhelmed by their reality for the first time since getting sober. They may feel strongest vodka in the world that they are “white-knuckling” through life, which is only more difficult without their substance of choice.

Addiction Destroys Dreams, We Can Help

Rather than just focusing on abstaining from alcohol, an exhaustive rehabilitation process should be in place. This approach not only addresses the physical dependency on alcohol but also delves deep into the psychological and emotional aspects of addiction. It describes someone who, although not drinking anymore, continues to exhibit the same behaviors and problems they faced during their drinking days. For those who are curious, here are 4 common attitudes that are usually considered symptoms of dry drunkenness and cause for closer attention. You may perceive your sobriety as a loss rather than a gain, feeling envious of those who can drink without consequences. This mindset is a significant barrier to embracing a truly sober lifestyle.

Is it always a sign of a relapse?

Try talking to your treatment sponsor, accountability partner, or member of a peer support group. This part of recovery is pretty common, even if people don’t recognize it as such or talk about it much. Some folks assume that people showing signs of this syndrome are about to relapse and drink again, but this isn’t always the case. Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox.

Develop new coping methods

Individuals with this symptom tend to do what they want, when they want, with little regard to who they hurt in the process. Impulsivity can also be linked with grandiosity, as people may often engage in impulsive behaviors as a way of being the center of attention. Engaging in regular physical activity and hobbies can also help redirect your focus and energy into positive outlets. Establishing a reliable support network of friends, family, or support groups who understand the struggle of recovery is invaluable. Quitting alcohol is a necessary step for living a life of sobriety, but there is more to a successful recovery than just getting sober.

Helping A Loved One Struggling In Recovery

Instead, describing the symptoms a person is experiencing and not using these terms can be more helpful. Many now consider dry drunk syndrome to be a stigmatizing term, as it can imply that a person is not putting in the effort necessary to recover. They used the term to refer to people who no longer drink alcohol but experience the same issues or behaviors as when they did. If a person has symptoms of PAWS, it does not mean that they are having a relapse. A relapse occurs when a person who has stopped drinking alcohol begins drinking again. Dry drunk syndrome is a term that AA developed to describe a person who no longer drinks alcohol but experiences the same issues or acts in the same way as when they were drinking.

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2. Despite not drinking anymore, you may feel drawn to the bars you used to go to and the social circles you were in.
3. The term dry drunk syndrome was originally coined by the creators of the 12-step program at Alcoholics Anonymous.
4. There is no right or wrong way for a person to recover from AUD, so a person should not compare their recovery journey with that of other people.
5. In group therapy, participants can learn from and be inspired by the experiences and progress of others.
6. A person who strives to maintain sobriety can work to overcome this mentality of a dry drunk.

Keep in mind that these hobbies might not feel quite as enjoyable during the early stages of recovery. If some time goes by and you still feel the same way, you can always give a different coping technique a try or explore a new hobby. Having helpful coping techniques in place can make it easier to manage distressing emotions and thoughts about drinking. It is imperative to note that those who are not part of the AA program often view the term “Dry Drunk” as offensive and overgeneralizing. For these individuals, the term is perceived as a shaming label for those who still suffer in their recovery or do not adhere to 12-Step methods. Being overly judgmental can be a very destructive attitude for those in recovery, whether it be towards others or towards ourselves.

However, it is important to remember that, just like any other psychological phenomenon, it can be overcome with the right assistance and support. They are changing their very identity – a scary prospect for anyone to cope with – and they are doing it without the crutch of substance use that they have come to know so intimately. Based on this definition, the symptoms of “dry drunk syndrome” may constitute a relapse, even if the person doesn’t drink.

That can be confusing and discouraging — just as dry drunk symptoms are for someone cutting out alcohol. Untreated alcoholism is a significant public health concern in the U.S., but many individuals can benefit from treatment, regardless of severity. While traditional 30-day rehabs and 12-Step programs are well-known, there are numerous other effective treatments available. These include behavioral therapies, such as individual and group counseling, medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, and mutual support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). People struggling with alcohol or drug addiction often have a dual diagnosis, meaning they struggle with mental health issues as well. These individuals will benefit from a rehab program that also offers mental health services.