What Is A “Dry Drunk”? What You Need To Know

When somebody quits drinking, they have completed a very big and potentially life-changing action. However, many individuals discover that even though they have eliminated the alcohol from their lives, the thinking styles, moods, and coping methods associated with active addiction remain.

There is a term for this kind of experience in the recovery community, but not necessarily the medical community: dry drunk syndrome. Recognizing this type of pattern can help people identify it sooner.

Is Dry Drunk Syndrome Real?

The term “dry drunk” originally developed within the community surrounding Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12-step recovery programs. It referred to individuals who had ceased to drink but did not attend to the psychological and emotional aspects of their addiction.

Research indicates that successful long-term recovery involves both sustained abstinence and making significant psychological and behavioral changes.[1]

In terms of the recovery community’s approach to addressing substance dependence, this is consistent with how dry drunk syndrome has historically been described. A distinction needs to be drawn between what the term “dry drunk” represents and what it does not represent.

It is not a diagnosis found in standard clinical manuals regarding substance use disorders, nor should it ever be utilized as a label to characterize someone. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration emphasizes that long-term recovery from alcoholism includes ongoing behavioral and emotional support.[2] Struggling with emotional difficulties after quitting drinking does not imply that long-term recovery is unsuccessful; it implies that there is additional work to be done beyond merely ceasing drinking.

What Are Examples of Behavior Associated With Being a “Dry Drunk”?

Examples of dry drunk behavior include:

• having difficulty managing emotional states without the aid of alcohol.
• experiencing persistent anger, resentment, frustration.
• pointing fingers, blaming others rather than assuming responsibility.
• becoming withdrawn from those providing support in the recovery process.
• feeling discontent, unrestful despite having achieved sobriety.
• glorifying past drinking experiences.
• suffering from spontaneous mood swings.

While these behaviors do not definitively indicate someone is exhibiting symptoms of dry drunk syndrome, early recovery can be chaotic and difficult. Mental health conditions, lack of adequate rest, sleep, or a general readjustment period to establish a new regimen can produce symptoms that appear to resemble those of dry drunk syndrome.

Additionally, post-acute withdrawal syndrome (often abbreviated as PAWS) is a collection of lingering effects from alcohol withdrawal (e.g., irritability and low mood) that can also mimic dry drunk behavior.[3] A healthcare professional or provider can determine which is occurring in an individual case.

Signs of a Person Who May Be Exhibiting Symptoms of a “Dry Drunk”

Some indicators to monitor for either in yourself or a loved one include:

• Ongoing emotional instability.
• Unsuccessful efforts at dealing with ordinary day-to-day stressors.
• Persistent feelings of resentment and bitterness.
• Viewing sobriety as restrictive rather than expansive.
• Deteriorated interpersonal connections.
• Relapsing to previous, destructive habits.
• Struggling to rebuild relationships harmed due to substance abuse.

These signs are best viewed as an indication that additional support would likely be helpful, not as a method of diagnosing another person. If you see multiple patterns as previously mentioned, it might be beneficial to seek help from a treatment center, counselor, or support group to learn how to get things moving again.

What’s the AA Perspective on “Dry Drunk” Behaviors?

From an AA perspective, dry drunk syndrome generally refers to someone who has stopped consuming alcohol but has not significantly progressed toward creating internal transformation as recommended in AA.[4] While AA advocates for continued personal growth, honesty, accountability, and views stopping drinking as an essential step toward recovery, the organization suggests that effective recovery requires considerably more than simply eliminating alcohol from an individual’s daily activities.

Treatment options, therapy, and community support are essential for helping someone develop the psychological tools required to maintain long-term sobriety. AA is only one path toward achieving sobriety.

Individuals achieve long-term sobriety in various ways, including receiving outpatient treatment programs, cognitive behavioral therapy (a form of talk therapy that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful behaviors), and other evidence-based treatments (the practical application of the findings of the best available current research).[5]

Dry Drunk vs. Healthy Sobriety

Quitting drinking is crucial to begin recovering from alcoholism. Long-term recovery, however, calls for more – learning alternative ways to react to pressure, stress, emotions, and relationships. And so, we arrive at emotional sobriety.

Ways to Improve Emotional Sobriety

Emotional sobriety is the capacity to regulate emotions and thoughts, respond appropriately, and remain calm without resorting to substance(s). As with most skills, emotional sobriety develops over time by implementing steps such as:

• acquiring emotion regulation skills
• developing positive relationship-building practices
• maintaining accountability
• increasing awareness and self-awareness of personal triggers
• establishing structured daily routines that promote overall well-being
• engaging in counseling, peer support, recovery programs

Recovering from substance abuse is not solely about abstaining from alcohol.[6] The entire recovery process can contribute to an individual’s total wellness beyond mere abstinence. Rather than striving for perfection, focusing on progress is the reasonable and healthy expectation.

For many people, collaborating with mental health professionals and service providers, whether through an intensive treatment program or working individually with therapists or counselors, can provide support and structure while learning these emotional skills.

Can Dry Drunk Behaviors Lead to a Relapse?

Since unaddressed emotional challenges increase the likelihood of relapse due to increased cravings and exacerbated sensitivity to stress, etc., the possibility exists.[7] Yet, experiencing dry drunk behaviors doesn’t mean relapse is unavoidable.

What ultimately determines success lies in the response an individual makes when they recognize signs that may point to potential relapse. Positive responses include:

• seeking support from peer support or a loved one
• re-establishing contact with a therapist or group counselor
• identifying and seeking treatment for existing mental health disorders that may be exacerbating
• learning, developing new coping mechanisms.

Generally speaking, seeking professional assistance before a small problem becomes larger leads to better outcomes.

Transitioning From Being Sober to Achieving Active Recovery

Sobriety and recovery are related concepts. Sobriety refers to abstention from drinking. Recovery refers to engaging in the process and continuing a complete and connected life free from alcohol and substance dependency. [8]

Practical ways to accomplish this transition include:

• investigating reasons behind substance use
• engaging in honest self-exploration
• building support networks consisting of family, friends, peers
• learning skills for stress management, coping
• attempting repairs for strained, damaged relationships
• setting meaningful objectives beyond simply remaining sober

Treatment facilities offering detox, therapy, and planning for post-rehabilitation care can assist with this transition, particularly for individuals recently separating the notion of sobriety from the broader task of recovering. If you believe you exhibit traits representative of dry drunk syndrome, or if you suspect your loved one does, know you don’t need to navigate these challenges independently.

Treatment centers specializing in alcohol rehabilitation, medical detox, and long-term recovery planning, such as New Waters Recovery, may be able to assess the primary causes behind an individual’s chemical dependency issues, not simply the act of drinking, as well as provide needed interventions designed to restore balance throughout your body, mind, and spirit.

Contacting a treatment center for professional assistance may be less intimidating than initially imagined.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Drunk Behavior