Understanding Dry Drunk Syndrome
Sobriety, contrary to what most people think, is a long arduous journey that demands dedication and patience in oneself. Giving up alcohol is a significant first step you can take, however, getting sober is a lot more complex than simply stopping drinking.
Dry Drunk Syndrome is one potential challenge you may face. This is a slang term that was first coined by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and refers to traits and behaviours that are often seen with alcohol use that persist into recovery. This condition is often found in people who may also be experiencing post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
You can see this in someone who’s completely sober but might still exhibit signs of intoxication or behaviours that are directly related to the same issues that led to their alcohol addiction in the first place. However, this is no shame in this, especially that this is a normal occurrence when it comes to long-term recovery.
A History of the ‘Dry Drunk’
The term dry drunk syndrome was originated from the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) which is the same organisation that founded the 12-step Program. It was defined as the behaviour of a person with alcoholism before their actual recovery.
A person struggling with dry drunk syndrome may still suffer from unhealthy habits, both internally and externally. For example, they might still maintain strained relationships with their friends and loved ones. This means that despite quitting alcohol, an individual still needs to address underlying emotions and issues that drove them to depend on alcohol in the first place.
Dry drunk syndrome is often seen among people who have tried to detox on their own and quit alcohol without the assistance of professionals. The lack of support from alcohol addiction specialists means that they may have not undergone therapy where the root cause of their alcoholism is explored and addressed. However, people who have undergone treatment for their alcohol addiction have been found to have lesser chances of experiencing dry drunk syndrome as opposed to other people who haven’t.
In some members of AA, the term dry drunk is often met with stigma, however, it is important to remember that it is still a legitimate struggle that recovering individuals experience. It’s important to remember that the experiencing dry drunk syndrome is not a personal moral failing nor is it to be blames by an individual’s failure to join a program. Sobriety is a long-term journey, and while there may be some detours along the way, what’s important is to keep moving forward and learning from these setbacks.
Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction
ends up being the biggest step of your life
Tiptoe if you must, but take the step
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Dry Drunk Syndrome?
There are emotional and behavioural symptoms for this condition. Below you’ll find some of the most common signs that an individual has dry drunk syndrome.
Mood symptoms
- Irritability, frustration, or anger
- Low spirits
- Impatience, restlessness, or difficulty focusing
- Depression, anxiety or worry about your ability to maintain sobriety
- Resentment towards the self, people who can still drink, or people who want you to quit drinking
- Negative or hopeless feelings about your ability to stop drinking
- Distraction or boredom
You might also notice that your mood changes rapidly or frequently. It may seem difficult or impossible to express your emotions which can lead to further frustration.
Behavioural symptoms
- Aggressive or impulsive behaviour
- Difficulty sleeping
- Tendency to judge, blame, or criticise yourself harshly
- Frustration with treatment, which may lead to skipping meetings or counselling sessions, or giving up on them entirely
- Frequent daydreaming or fantasising, often about alcohol use
- Dishonesty
- Using other behaviours, like TV, food, sex, or gambling, to cope with abstinence
The behaviours and emotional concerns listed above can strain your relationships and interactions with others, especially if alcohol use has already had a negative impact on your relationships. The presence of other mental health issues like depression or anxiety disorder can also exacerbate the symptoms further. Sometimes, this can even trigger renewed alcohol use, especially in the absence of more helpful coping techniques.
Through comprehensive treatment that includes therapy as well as recovery programs like AA, a person can discover what first led them to drugs or alcohol. Knowing this, they can begin to repair the damage the addiction has caused in their life.
The Psychology of Dry Drunk Syndrome
Recovery is an always personal and sometimes painful process wherein individuals work towards a level of self-awareness they did not have before.
When a person enters treatment, their loved ones hope that getting rid of the devastating substance in the person’s life will make everything okay. However, the reality is that someone struggling with addiction did not feel “okay” in the first place.
Dealing with dry drunk syndrome can feel overwhelming for a person in recovery. Their substance of choice becomes their armour and they may feel as though they are white-knuckling through life without it. When that armour is taken away, life may seem worse first before it gets better.
It’s far mor crucial to address the issues that led to addiction in the first place as this gets to the motivating factors and triggers of a person right on. Detox is still helpful in this cases, but it’s of greater value to unearth what is driving behind the condition. When a person is in recovery, they aren’t just avoiding or saying no to the substance, they are changing a core part of their identity. This is a scary prospect for anyone to cope with and they are doing it without the familiar crutch of substance use. This, along with a lack of support systems, can explain why a person may end up developing dry drunk syndrome.
Is it Always a Sign of a Relapse?
No, dry drunk syndrome doesn’t always point to relapse. It’s important to keep in mind that relapses are a normal, common part of recovery. But let’s talk about how we define a relapse first in order to gain a better distinction between the two.
While many people use “relapse” to describe a return to substance use, experts in addiction treatment often define “relapse” as the process of thoughts, behaviours, and emotions that can trigger use.
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How Can Loved Ones Help?
A person struggling with dry drunk syndrome can sometimes feel discouraged by what they perceive as a failed effort at sobriety. Which is why they are more likely to decrease their treatment efforts or even quit altogether. This course of action can make an individual’s sobriety more tenuous, and can ultimately be undoing all the hard work done up until that point.
If your loved one is exhibiting signs of dry drunk syndrome, the first and crucial action you can do is to encourage them to continue treatment. You can also attempt to direct your loved one towards a healthier and more stimulating activity or behavior. It can be difficult for someone fighting dry drunk syndrome to find activities they enjoy. In this situation, you can help them rediscover old hobbies they once loved or introduce them to new experiences. A few examples include:
- Stimulate intellect by taking a class
- Explore spiritual teachings and practices
- Learn a new hobby
- Take time to exercise
- Spend time with family and friends
- Explore treatment through rehab programs and therapy
A friend or family member’s primary role in this situation is to provide support and reflect the positivity that an individual can find in a life free from addiction. This is especially important when your loved one is suffering from dry drunk syndrome. As long as you continue to engage with and support them through this, they may find it easier to push on and continue the difficult yet rewarding pursuit of recovery.
Finding Treatment Options
Professional treatment is crucial in their recovery, but for people suffering from dry drunk syndrome, they may oftentimes believe that group therapy or AA are worthless for their recovery. No matter how rotten they feel, they may argue that the meetings don’t help them feel any better, and as long as they stay sober, they don’t need that kind of help.
This negative cycle of thinking is a clear indicator of dry drunk syndrome which can benefit from treatment, particularly from ongoing individual or group therapy.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, group therapy not only provides individuals with useful support and information but can also inspire hope. It is a community where people can find solace as they also get to meet people who know intimately what they experience in this point of their life.
In group therapy, people can gain understanding and inspiration from the experiences and progress of others. When someone is experiencing dry drunk syndrome, their perspective is often dominated by negativity, and this sense of positivity and encouragement can greatly alter the course of their recovery.
Others might prefer working on their addiction more privately in individual therapy. One-on-one therapy meetings offer a venue to discuss and reflect upon grievances and frustrations and allow you to gain insight into the overall recovery process. Through the reflection and analysis of your addiction, this time can also eventually uncover the root causes of the your struggle and provide you with healthier coping mechanisms.
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