What is a dry drunk?

A "dry drunk" refers to someone who has stopped drinking alcohol but hasn't addressed the underlying issues that led to their alcohol abuse. They may be outwardly sober—meaning they aren't consuming alcohol—but they still exhibit many of the negative personality traits and behaviors associated with alcoholism. It's essentially sobriety without recovery.

Here are some key characteristics of a dry drunk:

• Emotional unavailability and/or volatility: Dry drunks may struggle with emotional regulation, leading to irritability, anger, depression, or anxiety. They might be distant, unable to form or maintain healthy relationships.

• Continued self-centeredness: The focus remains on their own needs and wants, often at the expense of others. Empathy and compassion may be lacking.

• Lack of self-awareness: They may not recognize their own problematic behaviors or the impact they have on those around them. Denial is a common feature.

• Rigid thinking and resistance to change: They may be inflexible, unwilling to consider alternative perspectives, or resistant to seeking help for their emotional and psychological problems.

• Poor coping mechanisms: They haven't developed healthy ways to manage stress, boredom, or difficult emotions, and may resort to unhealthy substitutes (like workaholism, overeating, or other addictive behaviors).

• Resentment and judgment of others: They may harbor resentment towards those who they perceive as responsible for their past struggles or judge others harshly.

• Relapse potential: The underlying issues remain unresolved, leaving them at a high risk of relapse.

It's crucial to understand that being a dry drunk isn't a moral failing; it's a symptom of a deeper problem requiring professional help. True recovery involves addressing the root causes of the addiction through therapy, support groups (like AA or SMART Recovery), and other self-improvement strategies. Simply abstaining from alcohol doesn't equate to recovery.