Dry Drunk is a term used to describe individuals who have quit drinking but continue to show signs of alcohol use disorder, such as irritability, aggression, and strained relationships.
Addressing the root of drinking means building emotional sobriety, which means you are able to handle negative emotions without letting them control you. Emotional sobriety means building self-awareness, regulating emotions, and coping with triggers to spark deep, psychological transformation. It supports long-term recovery by helping individuals face challenges without turning to alcohol or drugs to cope.
“True recovery is not just about stopping substance use but about profound emotional and spiritual transformation”. —Bill Wilson, Co-founder of AA
What is a “Dry Drunk”?
The term “dry drunk” was first used as part of 12-step programs and was defined in the 1970 novel “The Dry Drunk Syndrome” as someone who has quit drinking but still portrays characteristics of an alcoholic.
Dry drunks often struggle with deeper emotional issues and psychological effects that led to alcohol abuse in the first place. Without deeper psychological support after quitting alcohol use, many dry drunks struggle with aggression, cravings, frustration, and strained relationships.
Be mindful when using the term dry drunk as it has long been used as a way to mock certain members in the 12-step community. However, it is important to recognize that it is a real psychological challenge that can happen to anyone in recovery from alcohol addiction.
Common Signs of a Dry Drunk
Dry drunks exhibit many of the same signs of alcohol addiction, even if they are not actively drinking. Symptoms can appear different in everyone, but some common signs of a dry drunk include [1]:
- Anger or resentment surrounding their addiction
- Chronic victim complex
- Desire for attention
- Deep fears that they are unable to change
- Believe sobriety is boring
- Romanticize past drinking or substance abuse
- Mood swings, irritability, aggression
- Jealousy of others who are in successful recovery
- Refusal to take accountability or acknowledge the problems their alcohol use caused
Getting to the Root of the Drinking Problem
While detox and stopping alcohol use are important, it is just the first step in recovery. Addressing the root of the drinking problem is essential to establishing a foundation for long-term recovery. Effective treatment includes behavioral therapies to identify triggers and change thought patterns, as well as peer support to form connections with others in recovery. Some of the ways to address the roots of alcohol addiction include:
- Recognize Triggers such as people or places that increase cravings or temptations.
- Identify the warning signs of relapse (both emotional and physical). This includes giving in to cravings or just having “one drink” to wind down after work.
- Develop alternative ways to cope with stress and manage cravings for alcohol, such as journaling, yoga, running, dance, or meditation.
- Create a daily routine and implement healthy habits to support overall health and well-being, such as sufficient sleep, eating a balanced diet, and regular exercise.
- Build a network of friends, family members, loved ones, and professional supports who you can rely on or reach out to for support in moments of crisis, temptation, or relapse.
- Seek professional support, attend treatment sessions, and be a willing participant in individual and group therapy to increase the chances of long-term recovery.
The Link Between Trauma and Alcohol Abuse
There is a strong link between trauma and alcohol, highlighting the importance of trauma-informed care in alcohol addiction treatment. Patients who have suffered from trauma are four times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder, often attempting to self-medicate symptoms of trauma such as flashbacks and anxiety. Addressing trauma is essential to breaking the cycle [2].
Two trauma-informed therapies with high success in addressing the roots of many alcohol use disorders include:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Uses bilateral stimulation of the brain, such as guided eye movements and auditory tapping, paired with memory recall to process deeply stored trauma and reduce associated emotional distress.
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): Similar to EMDR, ART can help quickly process trauma through guided eye movements and visualization, without having to recall painful details verbally.
Risks of Ignoring the Root Causes of Alcoholism
Quitting drinking without addressing the root of the problem isn’t enough. Many alcoholics easily relapse if alcohol has become their way to cope with stress or part of their daily routine.
More than 90% of those with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) do not receive treatment, increasing the likelihood of early death and severe medical conditions such as liver disease or stomach cancer. Data shows that AUD contributes to nearly 100,000 deaths per year, many due to long-term misuse and organ damage [3].
Failing to address the roots of alcoholism also worsens mental health problems, as it’s essential to address the feelings that drive drinking, such as isolation, loneliness, burnout, and trauma. Dry drunks often struggle with distressing emotional turmoil and failed relationships when they do not do the inner work required for full recovery.
Achieve Full Recovery at Maple Mountain
At Maple Mountain Mental Health and Wellness, we are committed to providing holistic care that addresses the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of our clients. Healing doesn’t just equal sobriety. Through a blend of evidence-based therapies, functional medicine approaches, and integrated wellness activities, we target the root causes of alcohol addiction to help you grow emotionally.
Contact our admissions team to begin your healing journey today.
Sources
R.J. Solberg. 1970. “The Dry Drunk Syndrome”.
[1] Gatski, R. et al. THE PSYCHODYNAMICS OF THE “DRY DRUNK. American Journal of Psychiatry.
[2] Back, E. et al. (2012). Childhood trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcohol dependence. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 34(4), 408–413.
[3] Pew Research Center. 2024. Millions of Americans Have Alcohol Use Disorder, but Few Get Treatment.