Addiction often ingrains negative thought patterns and behaviors. Simply removing substances without addressing these core issues can lead to what’s known as ‘dry drunk syndrome.’ This term describes someone who, while sober, continues to struggle with unaddressed behavioral patterns. At Discovery Place, we understand that true recovery involves treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—ensuring that these underlying challenges are met with empathy and comprehensive support.
What is a Dry Drunk?
Dry drunk syndrome is best described as someone who fits one of two conditions:
- A person who has stopped using substances but hasn’t addressed the underlying emotional or behavioral issues. The absence of substances is the only change; they still exhibit problematic behaviors. As the saying goes, “if you sober up a horse thief, what do you get? A sober horse thief.”
- A person who is sober but not actively engaging in recovery efforts, such as attending 12-step meetings or having a sponsor. This often leads to negative thinking, isolation, and general dissatisfaction with life.
Recognizing a return to old thought patterns and behaviors, or a lack of progress in recovery, is crucial. In the sober community, this is sometimes referred to as “untreated alcoholism.” Both terms describe similar symptoms, often seen at the start of relapse.
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous describes dry drunk syndrome as feeling “restless, irritable, and discontented.” If you’re sober but still unhappy, this might indicate untreated issues. The dangers include:
- The return of negative attitudes that harm quality of life.
- Potential relapse or other serious outcomes, such as suicide, if left unchecked.
5 Common Attitudes in Men with Dry Drunk Syndrome
1. Superiority Complex
Superiority or grandiosity refers to a return to a self-centered mindset, where an individual believes the world revolves around them. This attitude can manifest as either feeling superior to others or playing the victim.
Both perspectives serve to distance the individual from those around them, suggesting that they are different and that normal rules don’t apply. In 12-step programs, this is often called ‘terminal uniqueness,’ the belief that one’s experiences are so unique that no one else can understand them. This mentality is marked by self-pity and a sense of superiority.
2. Impulsivity
A common behavior in those with addiction issues is poor impulse control and impatience. This often leads to actions taken without considering the consequences, either to oneself or others.
When impulsivity combines with a sense of grandiosity, the need for attention intensifies rapidly.
Addiction often fosters a desire for immediate gratification, making impulsivity a core challenge. In early sobriety, hearing phrases like “time takes time” can be frustrating, revealing the underlying impulsive tendencies.
3. Negative Judgment
One of the most destructive mental aspects of addiction is negative judgment. As described in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, this tendency is like focusing on a single dead tree in a beautiful forest.
People with addiction often view themselves, others, and the world around them negatively.
This mindset can lead to feelings of superiority or inferiority, fostering bitterness and resentment. Such negative self-perception and judgment isolate individuals mentally, posing a significant risk to recovery, as they may regress rather than progress.
4. Complacency
Complacency is not only a characteristic of dry drunk syndrome but also a warning sign of potential relapse. Active recovery requires continuous progress, regardless of the pace.
It’s easy to fall into laziness or disinterest, often leading back to addictive behaviors. This mindset fosters destructive, self-centered thoughts, increasing the risk of relapse.
Recovery should be viewed as a constant journey, either moving towards or away from sobriety. Addressing fears of success or failure with the right recovery tools is crucial for maintaining sobriety.
5. General Negativity
During recovery, it’s common to fall into a cycle of negativity, often overlooking the positive aspects already present. It’s crucial to identify any underlying issues, such as anger, resentment, or unmet expectations, and address them.
Excessive anxiety and worry can also contribute to a negative mindset.
Working closely with a sponsor or a licensed medical professional can help manage these feelings. Anxiety, in particular, can be draining and counterproductive, as it shifts focus to future uncertainties, making it difficult to maintain a sense of peace and happiness.
8 Destructive Behaviors From ‘Dry Drunk’ Thinking
Here are eight destructive behaviors and actions that can result from the dreaded dry drunk thinking:
1. Restlessness, Irritability, and Discontent
This phase often begins subtly, with small annoyances becoming disproportionately frustrating. As these feelings grow, they can lead to a mindset of separation from others, feeling misunderstood or isolated.
This mentality is particularly dangerous as it marks the initial stage of the relapse process, often going unrecognized.
Without a strong support system, these feelings can snowball, making it crucial to stay connected with a recovery community and heed constructive feedback from trusted sources.
2. Boredom or Dissatisfaction
Over time, the initial vigor and excitement of recovery can fade, leaving a sense of boredom or dissatisfaction. This “pink cloud” phase, where everything seems positive, dissipates, leading to a more challenging phase of maintaining motivation.
Questions may arise about the value of sobriety, tempting individuals to abandon their recovery efforts.
Creating a gratitude list and actively engaging in recovery-related activities are vital strategies to combat this disillusionment and maintain focus on long-term goals.
3. Emotional Extremes
Emotional regulation can become challenging, with individuals swinging between emotional numbness and extreme reactions. Simple daily events may trigger disproportionate responses, such as excessive anger or sadness.
This emotional volatility can be a significant hurdle in maintaining stable relationships and a balanced life.
Seeking support from recovery groups or professionals can help manage these emotional swings and provide tools to navigate life’s ups and downs without relying on substances.
4. Euphoric Recall
Euphoric recall involves selectively remembering only the positive aspects of past substance use, while conveniently forgetting the negative consequences.
This nostalgic view can dangerously downplay the severity of past issues, making it tempting to romanticize the “good old days.”
To counteract this, it’s essential to keep an objective inventory of both the positive and negative aspects of the past, reminding oneself of the full reality of substance use and its impact.
5. Magical Thinking
Magical thinking involves holding unrealistic beliefs or fantasies, often disconnected from reality.
For instance, one might think, “If I stay sober, my girlfriend will come back to me,” or “I’ve been good, so one drink won’t hurt.”
Another common thought is, “Drugs/Alcohol weren’t my problem; it was my job, my spouse, or my anxiety.”
This mindset can lead to setting unachievable goals and relying on wishful thinking rather than taking actionable steps. It’s essential to challenge these thoughts by seeking guidance from sponsors or trusted friends, grounding expectations in reality.
6. Loss of Interest in Self-Improvement
The enthusiasm for self-improvement that often accompanies early recovery can wane, leading to complacency.
This is particularly dangerous as it can halt progress and make relapse more likely.
The key to overcoming this is to maintain an active approach to recovery, continuously setting new goals and engaging in personal growth activities. It’s important to remember that recovery is an ongoing journey, not a destination, requiring consistent effort and commitment.
7. Feeling Unfulfilled
As recovery progresses, the initial high of overcoming addiction may give way to feelings of unfulfillment, especially if expectations were unrealistic.
This can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction and questioning the purpose of sobriety.
It’s crucial to manage these feelings by setting realistic expectations and understanding that healing and achieving life goals take time. Ongoing self-improvement and addressing the root causes of dissatisfaction can help bridge the gap between expectation and reality.
8. Reverting to Old Defense Mechanisms
Old patterns of thinking and behavior, such as minimizing, rationalizing, or denying problems, can resurface, undermining recovery efforts.
These defense mechanisms, developed during active addiction, can hinder honest self-assessment and growth.
Recognizing these patterns and actively working to replace them with healthier coping strategies is essential. This might involve seeking therapy, engaging in support groups, or continuous self-reflection and accountability within the recovery process.
What to Do About Untreated Alcoholism
Untreated alcoholism is a significant public health concern in the U.S., but many individuals can benefit from treatment, regardless of severity. While traditional 30-day rehabs and 12-Step programs are well-known, there are numerous other effective treatments available. These include behavioral therapies, such as individual and group counseling, medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, and mutual support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
The first step in treatment is consulting with a primary care physician (PCP). A PCP can assess the individual’s drinking patterns, overall health, and mental well-being, providing referrals to appropriate treatments. They can also help craft a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the individual’s needs, ensuring that the approach is holistic and addresses both physical and mental health aspects of recovery.
Get Help for Untreated Alcoholism
The attitudes and actions associated with dry drunk syndrome are often a regression to the behaviors seen during active addiction. Recognizing these signs is crucial, as they may indicate a risk of relapse.
If you notice these attitudes resurfacing, it’s important to address them promptly and take steps to strengthen your recovery.
Don’t let dry drunk syndrome jeopardize your sobriety. If you need assistance, Discovery Place is available 24/7. Reach out for support by filling out our form or calling us at 800-725-0922.
