Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in America. Many people are unaware that they have a problem with alcohol because it is so heavily ingrained into our society. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that nearly 30 million people struggled with an alcohol use disorder in 2022.[1]
Attending and completing an alcohol rehab program is a huge accomplishment. It shows that you understand you have a damaging relationship with alcohol and are taking steps to recover. Unfortunately, your work does not end there.
To maintain long-term sobriety from alcoholism, you must continue to work on yourself and avoid triggers for relapse. You might notice that while you are abstaining from alcohol, you are still dealing with the emotional issues that led you to begin drinking in the first place. If this sounds familiar, you might be struggling with “dry drunk syndrome.”
Dry drunk syndrome is a term that means you have stopped drinking but still suffer from the emotional and behavioral challenges of alcohol addiction. You might feel angry, irritable, discontent, or isolated from family and friends. Without addressing the symptoms of being a dry drunk and seeking professional help, you could resort back to alcohol abuse.
In this article, you will learn:
- What the term dry drunk means
- The signs and symptoms of dry drunk syndrome
- How to tell if you have a co-occurring mental health condition
- How to overcome the dry drunk syndrome
What Does it Mean to Be a Dry Drunk?
Alcoholism involves more than just drinking a lot. You will deal with emotional and psychological issues as well. For example, you might suffer from mood swings, angry outbursts, isolation, guilt, shame, or other mental health issues.
Alcohol rehab programs are designed to help you overcome the physical and emotional aspects of addiction. However, it is not uncommon to continue struggling with emotional or behavioral symptoms even after you complete rehab. This is because recovery from alcoholism is a long-term endeavor.
If you continue experiencing the moods and behaviors that led you to drink in the first place, you might be dealing with dry drunk syndrome. Even though you aren’t using alcohol or drugs anymore, you are still suffering mentally. Without treatment, these symptoms can negatively impact your recovery and make you more likely to experience a relapse.
The Signs and Symptoms of Dry Drunk Syndrome
Everyone’s recovery is different, especially when it comes to dry drunk syndrome. If you are dealing with this syndrome you will exhibit many of the same emotions and behaviors as when you were abusing alcohol. You could experience mood swings, feelings of anger, irritability, anxiety, or have a hard time dealing with your emotions healthily.
Signs and symptoms that you are a dry drunk include:
- Feeling like you are a victim in many situations
- Needing to be the center of attention
- Having difficulties communicating with others effectively
- Being afraid that you cannot change your behavior
- Dealing with frequent mood swings
- Harboring resentments towards those who encouraged recovery
- Feeling frustrated about time that was wasted during your alcoholism
- Romanticizing past substance abuse or being bored in sobriety
- Failing to acknowledge or identify the problems your alcoholism caused
- Being jealous of other people in recovery
- Refusing to accept constructive criticism, help, or support from others
If you are suffering from these symptoms, you need to double down on your recovery maintenance techniques. You could attend more support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), work with a sponsor to complete the 12 steps, go to therapy more frequently, and seek advice from trusted friends or loved ones.
What are Co-Occurring Disorders?
If you think you are dealing with dry drunk syndrome, it is important to know what co-occurring disorders are. Sometimes, your symptoms could be coming from an untreated mental health condition. Co-occurring disorders are mental illnesses that occur alongside drug addiction or alcoholism.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 21.5 million adults struggled with a co-occurring disorder in 2022.[2]
To determine whether you are suffering from dry drunk syndrome or a co-occurring disorder, you should see a mental health professional. They can examine your symptoms through mental health evaluations to determine whether you are simply dealing with the effects of alcoholism or have an underlying condition that requires treatment. Even if you do not have a co-occurring disorder, therapy can still help you recover from the emotional and behavioral symptoms you are dealing with.
How to Overcome Dry Drunk Syndrome
The first thing you should do to overcome the symptoms of dry drunk syndrome is seek therapy. A therapist can help you unpack why you are experiencing the emotional and behavioral effects you are suffering from. Additionally, they can give you healthy coping mechanisms to help you self-regulate your emotions and overcome triggers.
In addition to therapy, you should:
- Find healthy ways to express your emotions
- Use creative outlets to process your emotions like writing, music, or drawing
- Reach out to friends and loved ones for support when you need it
- Try yoga and meditation to ground yourself
- Maintain healthy sleeping, eating, and exercise habits
- Continue to participate in alcohol support groups like 12-step meetings
- Keep a journal to log your emotions and better understand them
- Practice gratitude in your daily life to appreciate the small things
- Learn how to have fun in sobriety by attending drug and alcohol-free events
Find Help for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
If you or a loved one struggles with alcoholism, it’s time to seek professional help. At New You Sober Living, we offer transitional housing for individuals who have just completed an alcohol rehab center. If you are struggling to maintain sobriety in daily life, we can help you get back on track and meet your goals for independent living.
Contact us today for more information on how our sober living program can help you maintain recovery from alcohol use disorder.
References:
- The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions
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