FirstPostEver
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 561
FirstPostEver
This is my first time posting a thread. I had 1.5 years alcohol free until I decided I could try moderation in February 2015. I seemed to moderate until one of my best friends died. I'm on Day 1. I have a question for folks who have 5 or more years sober...has anyone experienced being a "dry drunk?" I drank daily and binge some for 4 years. I was sober 1.5 years but never recovered 100% brainpower, sleep, and still felt depressed/anxious/angry/sad. Has anyone else experienced dry drunk syndrome and what worked for you? Thanks in advance for your support and kindness! !
Blue Belt
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Soberville, USA
Posts: 4,174
Welcome.
Read about dry drunk.
Dry Drunk Syndrome - Alcohol Rehab
What you described sounded different.
If I couldn't manage getting cleaned up reasonably on my own, with help here, AA. Etc.. I'd see a Dr.
Only 109 days here...getting used to the world drug free. Odat.
I'm not drinking today.
Read about dry drunk.
Dry Drunk Syndrome - Alcohol Rehab
What you described sounded different.
If I couldn't manage getting cleaned up reasonably on my own, with help here, AA. Etc.. I'd see a Dr.
Only 109 days here...getting used to the world drug free. Odat.
I'm not drinking today.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 561
Thanks for the article D122!! I've read a lot of research about dry drunk....it's funny, I'd read that article too....reading is one of my substitute addictions. But hearing from the mouths of people who have "been there" is what will help me.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3
Dry drunk is just the terminology for those who just put down the drink...and think everything will work out. One ends up being irritable, or depressed, anxious etc. Sobriety, is for those who put down the drink and do work, who find joy in it, vs. hardship.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 645
I experienced dry drunk many times for years at a time when I simply just stopped drinking. Once I had a recovery plan in place and worked my program, I no longer had the symptoms of a dry drunk.... depression, anxiety, panic attacks, etc. I always try to remember that drinking was the solution. I had to figure out why I was drinking to escape and not have to face normal emotions that everyone experiences.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,312
Hi SportsFan - welcome
I had to do more than just not drink if thats what you mean - I used to drink to escape - I needed to build a life, and a new me, I didn't want to escape from.
you fix what you can and try to come to peace with the rest, really.
D
I had to do more than just not drink if thats what you mean - I used to drink to escape - I needed to build a life, and a new me, I didn't want to escape from.
you fix what you can and try to come to peace with the rest, really.
D
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 5,937
Welcome to SR, SportsFan15. I don't know if I subscribe to the "dry drunk" idea. I think it's like Dee said- you need to do more than just not drink, you need to learn/relearn how to live. If you keep doing the same stuff as you did before only sober you miss out on personal growth. It takes time and conscious effort to develop new ways to cope and to build up some positive goals.
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