what is dry drunk?
Forum Leader
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,944
Dry Drunk is frequently used by people to mean an alcoholic who has simply stopped drinking, but has not addressed the underlying reasons he or she began to drink. In other words, the alcohol is absent, but the angry, lying, cheating person is still around.
Belgian Sheepdog Adictee
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: In Today
Posts: 6,101
Having gotten sober in AA 31+ years ago and being around AA since then I do not believe it is a derogatory remark or is used as one, by most folks, however, there are some .................................... that have or do.
It is a two word description to describe someone who has stopped drinking and done nothing else.
The program of AA says that drinking is but a symptom of deeper underlying issues. When a person stops drinking and does nothing to work on themselves to find the 'underlying issues', and continues all other behaviors as before, the term 'dry drunk' comes into play.
It is a term I choose not to use too often, but a few times have had to tell a sponsee that they are in that 'mode' or headed for that 'mode' and let's get back to work. I am sure in my own recovery there have been times when I seemed to be in a dry drunk, when I was stagnant, not moving forward, some old behaviors reappearing, etc
Some A's never get beyond the 'dry drunk' stage, believing (in their denial) that all they have to do is not drink.
Whatever you believe, I personally have experienced it in another very close A and it is just as bad as being around someone who is still practicing their addiction.
J M H O
Love and hugs,
It is a two word description to describe someone who has stopped drinking and done nothing else.
The program of AA says that drinking is but a symptom of deeper underlying issues. When a person stops drinking and does nothing to work on themselves to find the 'underlying issues', and continues all other behaviors as before, the term 'dry drunk' comes into play.
It is a term I choose not to use too often, but a few times have had to tell a sponsee that they are in that 'mode' or headed for that 'mode' and let's get back to work. I am sure in my own recovery there have been times when I seemed to be in a dry drunk, when I was stagnant, not moving forward, some old behaviors reappearing, etc
Some A's never get beyond the 'dry drunk' stage, believing (in their denial) that all they have to do is not drink.
Whatever you believe, I personally have experienced it in another very close A and it is just as bad as being around someone who is still practicing their addiction.
J M H O
Love and hugs,
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