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"Dry Drunk"?

Comments (3)
answered 08:30 AM EST, Wed February 27, 2013
-- filed under: |
anonymous anonymous
Is dry drunk a real thing? Like would a doctor or a psychiatrist say this was a real phenomenon or is this just another manufacturance from those kooky 12 steppers? As far as I can tell most everyone I have ever met in AA is dry drunking it all over time the way they react to me!

Donna Hunter Says...

Donna Hunter D. Hunter
LCSW, CAP

The term dry drunk is not a a diagnosis, if that is what you are asking.

Is it a real thing? Anyone who has experienced life with an alcoholic or addict, who is not working a recovery program would say it is a very real thing. A dry drunk is generally not utilizing the 12 steps to address the behaviors, attitude and consequences of their addiction.

As such they are building up their ego and denial believing they must not be in such bad shape if they can white knuckle it and stop using. Stopping the use of a substance is only the beginning.

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