Alcohol abuse and addiction can impact every aspect of your health and well-being. Your relationships, health, and daily functioning can suffer as alcohol becomes the center of your life.

The first step of an addiction recovery journey is recognizing you have a problem. After that, it is critical to seek treatment and support to help you identify and address the complex roots of your alcohol use.

Your recovery journey may not follow a straight path. Many people in addiction recovery face setbacks, frustrations, and challenges along the way. It’s easy to believe that your problems will disappear when you stop drinking. However, most people find their problems remain even after they get sober.

Dry drunk syndrome is a common setback in addiction recovery. This article will explore dry drunk syndrome and how to deal with it. You will learn:

• The symptoms of dry drunk syndrome
• What can lead to dry drunk syndrome
• How to support someone with dry drunk syndrome
• Where to find alcohol addiction treatment and recovery support

If you or someone you love struggles with alcohol abuse or addiction, you are not alone. The recovery process can be challenging, but having the right support can help you stay on track.

Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to explore our substance abuse treatment and recovery support programs. Reach out with questions or to schedule an intake appointment.

What Does it Mean to Be a “Dry Drunk”?

The founding members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) were the first people to use the term “dry drunk.” Dry drunk syndrome is a term that describes those who exhibit the same unhealthy behaviors or patterns in recovery as they did while drinking.

People with dry drunk syndrome may:

• Struggle to maintain healthy relationships
• Exhibit self-destructive behaviors
• Lack the tools necessary to cope with stress or challenges in a healthy way

Dry drunk syndrome is a recognized mental health issue. Unlike post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) or other withdrawal complications, it is not a physical condition.

Dry drunk syndrome is not a character flaw or weakness. It is also not a sign that someone is not putting in effort to maintain sobriety.

There are effective treatments for dry drunk syndrome. People living with this syndrome can seek professional assistance and treatment programs to overcome this condition.

What are the Symptoms of Dry Drunk Syndrome?

Several characteristics or symptoms can help to identify dry drunk syndrome. Some of the symptoms of this condition include:

• Feeling angry, frustrated, or pessimistic about recovery
• Resenting or blaming friends and family for problems
• Self-obsession or self-centeredness
• Feeling jealous of people who do not live with alcoholism
• Developing new addictive behaviors around sex, gambling, food, etc. 
• Feeling nostalgic about the time they were still drinking

It is essential to watch for signs of dry drunk syndrome and seek treatment. Instead of “white-knuckling” through recovery, people can get support that can help them thrive.

What Leads to Dry Drunk Syndrome?

Addiction recovery is not a quick or easy process. Meaningful recovery from alcohol addiction requires patience, time, and a lot of support. Addiction is a complex condition with roots in a person’s genetics, experiences, behaviors, and more. Understanding and addressing the complexity of addiction is crucial to lasting sobriety.

Mental health and addiction experts believe that people are more likely to develop dry drunk syndrome if they do not explore the issues that led to their alcohol abuse. People need to explore the behavioral, emotional, and psychological issues that led to their drinking so that they can heal and move forward.

How to Support Someone with Dry Drunk Syndrome

If you believe someone you love is showing signs of dry drunk syndrome, there are ways you can support their recovery. Here are some of the best ways to help someone with dry drunk syndrome.

Offer non-judgmental support

Recovery is challenging, and many people struggle with feelings of guilt or shame. They may worry about disappointing their friends and family or have low self-confidence.

You can support your loved one by offering non-judgmental listening and advice. Simply offering to listen while they share their feelings and experiences can be very helpful.

Encourage them to stay active

Staying active can help people in recovery make meaningful progress. Encourage your loved one to try a new hobby, start therapy, or start exercising. Suggest local 12-step program meetings or other support groups they can join.

Join them

Many people in recovery struggle with feelings of isolation and loneliness. Offer to join your loved one in activities, meetings, or social events. Having company can help people feel more confident taking care of themselves and trying new things.

Offer assistance

Your loved one may appreciate practical assistance, such as:

• Child, pet, or house care
• Rides to and from appointments and meetings
• Help to navigate insurance
• Assistance finding local recovery resources

Offer to help your loved one with day-to-day activities so that they can focus on getting better. This support can be very meaningful for those in recovery.

Find Treatment and Support

If you or someone you love struggles with alcohol abuse or dry drunk syndrome, you can find effective treatment at First Step Behavioral Health. Contact our specialists to learn more about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.