Overview of a Dry Drunk
The phrase “dry drunk syndrome” refers to if you or a loved one has gone through withdrawal and detox from alcohol, but the problems around the addiction have not been addressed. Although you are now sober, you have not received any professional counseling or addiction therapy to address the underlying reason behind why you drink.
Once you are sober and not drinking anymore, you may think that the problem is gone, and that you no longer need any additional help. The fact is, there is counseling and therapy that is necessary to heal from the wounds that have caused you to drink to excess. If that step is not taken during recovery, you may continue to suffer from the struggles you had while you were drinking.
Inland Detox treats alcohol addiction and other mental illnesses or disorders. Our comprehensive treatment program, addresses all aspects of addiction, allowing you to move into a full recovery free from alcohol or other drugs.
Signs and Symptoms of a Dry Drunk
- They feel burdened by having to take responsibility for the damage caused by their drinking
- They are fearful of failure, knowing that they can never fall back on alcohol to nurse their wounds or boost their confidence
- They become jealous of how other people can deal with issues without alcohol, or how others can enjoy alcohol without fear of being addicted
- They are resentful of the person who has been the most instrumental in getting them to stop drinking
- They become disconsolate at the realization that their drinking has robbed them of their potential
- They are frustrated by the fact that they cannot drink ever again for fear of triggering a relapse
A Dry Drunk Versus Sobriety
Although it may not seem like it, but complete recovery from alcoholism is possible. The appropriate help from Inland Detox can allow you to get sober and recover from the main reasons behind why you abuse substances.
It’s important to understand what a dry drunk is, and the pervasiveness of the disease. It’s possible to treat this condition, with the proper treatment and our recovery team at Inland Detox. Despite being sober, a dry drunk continues to have destructive behaviors occur and participate in harmful or dangerous activities. These behaviors can even become worse than while they were consuming alcohol on a regular basis.
When you become sober, it does not mean that you have fully recovered. You are still dealing with the feelings behind your addiction and why you are drinking to handle those feelings. It is a good first step to becoming sober and stopping drinking, but the next step in the process is to have a full recovery including counseling and other therapy to address other mental health illnesses that may be present.
How Dry Drunk Syndrome Affects Recovery
It can be a long, tough process to go through treatment for alcohol use disorder, and the first step is to decide that you want to stop drinking. Once this step is done, you can begin reaching out to Inland Detox to help you with your detox and withdrawal from alcohol and begin moving into a full recovery.
Getting sober from alcohol is much more complex than you might believe. It’s not just about stopping your alcoholic tendencies, it’s much more than that. Someone who suffers from “dry drunk syndrome” may become sober but continue to act “drunk” and continue to have the same issues and problems that they had while they were drinking.
The term “dry drunk” can often bring a negative connotation, specifically from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) world. It’s sometimes been used to describe someone who is not working hard enough on their recovery or “working the program.” It’s generally not helpful to describe anyone as a “drunk.”
The Psychology of Dry Drunk Syndrome
There are many times when an addiction stems from other mental health disorders or concerns, usually causing you to have a hard time coping with life’s stresses. Alcohol or other substances become a means to help cope and handle the difficult feelings around stress, anxiety, or depression.
Your close family or loved one may feel like once the substance is no longer being used that you should be immediately cured and feel better. This is not always the case, as there is an underlying issue that caused substance abuse to occur, and that is what needs to be addressed while in treatment.
How Can Family Help a Dry Drunk?
If you notice that you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of alcoholism, the first step is to encourage them to continue treatment so that they can properly recover. If they have gotten sober but still exhibit symptoms that they are struggling with, they may need further treatment and help to address those symptoms. Some ways to help include:
- Explore treatment through rehab programs and therapy
- Spend time with family and friends
- Take time to exercise
- Learn a new hobby
- Explore spiritual teachings and practices
- Stimulate intellect by taking a class
An individual who suffers from dry drunk syndrome may also struggle with depressive tendencies and have a hard time finding activities that they enjoy. You can stick by their side and remind them of activities they used to love or help them find new, alternative hobbies that they may enjoy.
Treatment for Alcohol Addiction at Inland Detox
Inland Detox specializes in alcohol detox and treatment, and our staff can ease the pain and discomfort that happens when you stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol is not only one of the most abused substances in America, but it also has an uncomfortable detox and withdrawal process which makes it difficult to quit. It can be extremely dangerous to quit drinking alcohol if you are doing so consistently, and it can be life-threatening if not treated by a professional.
At Inland Detox, our premier alcohol detox center treats the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal, in a comfortable, supportive environment. Our staff is available around the clock to help treat our clients and their needs. We consider our program to be overstaffed so that we can help each client, at any time of the day.
Unlike a medical detox, a residential detox offers the client a clean, comforting environment to detox in, all while being medically monitored by our caring and compassionate staff. We know how difficult it can be going through the grips of addiction, and we are here to help every one of our clients.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, please contact the staff at Inland Detox today to get the help and alcohol or drug treatment necessary.