What Is Dry Drunk Syndrome and How Does It Affect Addiction Recovery?

Recovery from alcohol addiction has the ultimate goal of sobriety, but it should also come with healing and self-improvement. However, not everyone who reaches sobriety experiences the emotional growth necessary for long-term, sustained abstinence, which is known as being a “dry drunk.”

Learn more about dry drunk syndrome, why it happens, and how you can seek help for yourself or a loved one to reach true recovery.

What Is Dry Drunk Syndrome?

The term “dry drunk syndrome” arose from the creators of the 12-Step program, Alcoholics Anonymous. It was defined in the 1970 book, “The Dry Drunk Syndrome” by author R.J. Solberg as “the presence of actions and attitudes that characterized the alcoholic prior to recovery.”[1]

Generally, someone with dry drunk syndrome will have stopped drinking alcohol. However, they still struggle with the lasting effects of addiction, like strained relationships with their loved ones, unhealthy habits, and other emotional challenges. They haven’t dealt with the emotional struggles that led them to addiction in the first place.

Dry drunk syndrome is more common among people who quit an addictive substance on their own without the support and guidance of professionals. Those who undergo professional addiction treatment programs are less likely to experience dry drunk syndrome.

Causes of Dry Drunk Syndrome

Sobriety is different from recovery. Dry drunk syndrome, which may also be referred to as “white knuckling,” means you’re not drinking but still experiencing cravings or struggling with the emotional and psychological issues that contributed to problem drinking. Dry drunk syndrome can also occur with post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), or withdrawal symptoms that last much longer than the initial withdrawal period.[2]

Aside from the unresolved aspects of addiction that block true healing and recovery, dry drunk syndrome can increase the risk of developing another addiction that replaces alcohol use disorder (alcohol addiction).

Signs and Symptoms of Dry Drunk Syndrome

The signs and symptoms of dry drunk syndrome can vary but may include:[3]

• Anger and negativity toward recovery
• Resentment toward family and friends who have made them stop drinking
• Romanticizing the past days of drinking alcohol
• Depression or anxiety
• Fear of relapse
• Jealousy of friends who don’t struggle with addiction
• An obsession with self
• Wanting to be the center of attention
• Fear of an inability to change
• Mood swings that range from depression to extreme happiness
• Trouble communicating with others
• Refusal to acknowledge the problems caused by addiction
• Replacing addiction with vices or other addictions, such as excessive internet use or food addiction

Understanding the Psychology of Dry Drunk Syndrome

Many addictions arise from the need for a coping mechanism or an escape from reality. It’s a misconception that addiction is a matter of willpower and that all it takes is quitting the substance and staying sober. In reality, someone struggling with addiction had underlying factors that drove them to substance use in the first place, so removing just the substance isn’t enough to make them “feel better.”

Dealing with dry drunk syndrome can be overwhelming – it’s a struggle to continue each day without the substance of choice. Recovery can be a painful, deeply personal process that uncovers emotional pain, past trauma, and unhealthy thought or behavioral patterns to reach self-awareness and accountability. Stopping the drug or alcohol use is the “easy” part – doing the emotional work is longer, deeper, and more challenging.

Treatment Options for Dry Drunk Syndrome

If someone is experiencing dry drunk syndrome, they must reenter treatment. This can be difficult, since part of dry drunk syndrome is a negative perception of recovery. However, quitting before the work is done can significantly increase the risk of relapse and start the process all over.

Often, people with dry drunk syndrome will become discouraged or suggest that they don’t need treatment because they haven’t drunk or used substances in a while. They may have a defeatist attitude toward therapy or support groups since they don’t feel better after meetings.

Depending on the needs of the individual, revisiting different levels of care can make a big difference, especially if co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety are also present. Inpatient treatment can continue as it would right after detox, just without the cravings and physical discomfort of early recovery, and provides supervision and intensive support for the emotional, psychological, and social aspects of addiction.

For people needing less intensive support and requiring flexibility to balance day-to-day life, outpatient programs with individual and group therapy sessions or 12-Step support groups can help. These programs promote accountability, self-reflection, and shared experiences to inspire hope and encouragement to work toward recovery.

Some other helpful programs for dry drunk syndrome include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps to identify unhelpful thoughts or behavioral patterns and learn positive change
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which can reduce negative behaviors and thoughts to promote a positive outlook on recovery and limit self-defeating attitudes
• Motivational enhancement (MI), which can increase intrinsic motivation and address ambivalence toward addiction and recovery

Get Help for Dry Drunk Syndrome and Reach Recovery

Dry drunk syndrome can be difficult for the person experiencing it and their family and friends. However, it can be overcome with comprehensive addiction treatment that focuses on the underlying emotional and psychological factors, not the substance use itself, and provides ongoing support and guidance.