Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
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"Dry drunk" is a slang term that originated in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It refers to those who, while sober, continue with the poor behavioral patterns they're known for when drunk. It's part of what's known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome.
While dry drunk syndrome is most common in people with alcoholism who have only recently stopped drinking, it can also occur in people even if they had stopped drinking years ago. It doesn’t discriminate.
Because a loved one may be familiar with these negative behaviors already, it can be difficult to recognize when someone has developed dry drunk syndrome.
They may not seem to act any differently than the “normal” that their loved ones have gotten used to. For example, their moodiness or lack of motivation may just be expected.
Despite how quietly someone may be suffering from dry drunk syndrome, it can take a serious toll on their lives.
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People can experience symptoms of dry drunk syndrome months to years after they stop drinking. This means that while they may still have urges to drink from time to time, they are not physically relapsing.
It's also important to keep in mind that relapsing is a normal part of recovery. If you or someone you know relapses after becoming sober, don't give up on treatment.
Dry drunk syndrome can develop in people who are recovering or have recovered from alcohol use disorder (AUD). These people tend to exhibit the same negative behaviors and attitudes they formed while coping with alcohol addiction.
Alcohol affects the brain, which can severely impact someone’s physical, mental, and emotional health for long after they stop drinking it.
This is why, even after someone sobers up, the behavioral and mental side effects of alcoholism can still affect them.
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Some symptoms of dry drunk syndrome in a recovering alcoholic include, but are not limited to, the following:
The signs of dry drunk syndrome may not always be obvious. This is because the person may have already been exhibiting these signs for years while using alcohol.
The first step to recovering from the fallout of alcohol use is recognizing these dry drunk behaviors. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, professional help is available.
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The recovery process from alcoholism can be a difficult one. All addiction recovery takes time and effort — sometimes more time and more effort than other times.
But while recovery programs can help someone get back on the right track, there are side effects of quitting substance abuse that can last quite some time. And those side effects may require additional aftercare help to overcome.
Dry drunk syndrome, for example, lasts as long as someone does not get treatment or seek support groups to develop the coping skills they need.
While a detox plan or rehabilitation program may help them leave their drinking days in the past and get over their dependency on alcohol, alcohol use disorder (AUD) can leave a lasting impact on their lives.
And they may need more coping mechanisms to handle dry drunk syndrome.
Dry drunk syndrome is very common, and you are not alone. Many recovering alcoholics deal with this condition on a daily basis, and it is nothing to be ashamed of.
There are also some lifestyle changes you can make to better cope with this condition, including:
Taking care of your health and well-being can dramatically decrease alcohol urges. It also boosts your mental health, gives you more energy, and improves your overall mindset.
To help reduce the symptoms of dry drunk syndrome, try making the following lifestyle changes:
When you find yourself falling off track, it's important to remember why you stopped drinking. Reach out for support if you are having trouble keeping this vision.
Addiction is a serious disease, and being hard on yourself will only make things worse. Learning self-compassion is essential in recovery because it allows you to go easy on yourself.
When you find yourself falling back into old thought patterns, remember that it is just a part of the process. Forgive yourself and be proud of how far you have come.
When things get especially difficult, it's always important to remind yourself that you are not alone. Reach out to loved ones or alcohol support groups if you are feeling isolated.
Fortunately, there are behavioral health services, peer support groups, and rehabilitation treatment centers available for anyone experiencing dry drunk syndrome.
Some treatment options include:
Inpatient care is the most intensive treatment option.
Patients sleep at the treatment facility and undergo all portions of the program from detoxification to aftercare with medical supervision.
Part of recovery often includes battling the symptoms people experience during sobriety, including the symptoms of dry drunk syndrome. Medication-assisted treatment may also be necessary to control these symptoms.
Outpatient treatment is a good option for those who have daily responsibilities that they cannot give up (such as family, work, or school), as well as a high level of motivation for getting sober.
There are various forms of outpatient treatment, from regular, to intensive, to partial hospitalization.
Part of recovery often includes battling the symptoms individuals experience during sobriety, including the symptoms of dry drunk syndrome. Medication-assisted treatment may also be necessary to control these symptoms.
This involves using medication to control cravings and prevent relapse.
Medications used for AUD in this regard include:
Having a support system to go through alcohol abuse recovery can make a world of difference.
Peer support groups help to hold people recovering from alcoholism accountable because just showing up in the first place is a step in the right direction.
When people are going through the same thing, such as overcoming substance use, it can help to face it together with others who can empathize, share inspirational success stories, offer useful tips, and more.
Therapy can also help. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy can unpack the triggers that cause you to behave or think in a certain way.
Therefore, therapy can help you stop drinking and stop wanting to drink or act in the same ways you did when drinking.
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