What Is A Dry Drunk?

Have you or someone you know struggled with addiction, only to find that even after quitting, the same behavioral patterns and feelings persist? This phenomenon is known as "dry drunk syndrome," a term coined to describe individuals who, despite abstaining from substances, continue to exhibit addictive behaviors and attitudes. It's as if the addictive mindset has become ingrained, dictating interactions and relationships.

For the LGBTQ+ community, this is very common because of the daily struggles with identity, self-acceptance, and social pressures contributing to substance use leading to the dry drunk syndrome. It's like being stuck in a cycle of self-destructive thoughts and actions, even after putting down the drink. For LGBTQ+ individuals, this can be particularly damaging, exacerbating feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression especially within the community where mental health support is often scarce. Want to know much more about dry drunk syndrome? Stick around to find out.

What Are The Signs Of Dry Drunk Syndrome For An LGBTQ+ Person?

Sometimes family members or loved ones of a person find that they seem to struggle with them more in this state than they did while they were drinking. This can be very confusing, especially if they don’t understand what’s happening. In order to better understand and spot the tendencies of dry drunk syndrome for an LGBTQ+ person, below is a list of some of the signs that may be noticed;

• They may become resentful towards the person who “made” them quit drinking.
• The person may even struggle to stay on task, finding that they’re easily distracted or that they’re unable to make decisions in an efficient manner
• The individual may not be able to accept the consequences of their actions, instead of trying to pass the blame to other people
• They may become impatient, impulsive and take action without contemplating the consequences in a way that hurts themselves or those around them
• Struggles with dishonesty that may gradually gain momentum as they find themselves lying more
• The LGBTQ+ person may notice that they spend increasing amounts of time thinking about drinking or recalling memories of times when they drank

Without proper attention or support, these detrimental thoughts and behaviors may pull the person deeper into dark thoughts or notions of using, leading them down a path that has the potential to be damaging and dangerous.

Causes of Dry Drunk Syndrome For An LGBTQ+ Person

Dry drunk syndrome has many potential causes and getting to the root cause will help understand why some LGBTQ+ people still struggle even after quitting drinking. Let's break down some of the key reasons behind this:

• Unresolved Internalized Homophobia
  Unresolved internalized homophobia can be like carrying an invisible weight. It involves absorbing society’s negative messages about being LGBTQ+ people and turning them inward. These feelings of shame and low self-worth don’t just disappear once a person stops drinking; they can linger and affect every aspect of life. This can lead to negative self-talk, poor self-esteem, and an ongoing struggle to accept oneself. Even in sobriety, these unresolved feelings can resurface, causing emotional instability and self-destructive behaviors of dry drunk syndrome.

• Lack of Coping Mechanisms
  Lack of coping mechanisms can leave an individual feeling unprepared to handle the stresses of life without alcohol. Many LGBTQ+ people may have relied on alcohol as their primary way to cope with difficult emotions or situations. Once they stop drinking, they might not have other effective strategies in place to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. This can lead to feelings of  frustration, often resulting in the same negative behaviors and attitudes associated with addiction that are also hallmarks of dry drunk syndrome.

• Lack of Comprehensive Treatment
  Successful recovery from alcoholic addiction requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the physical, psychological, and social aspects of the person. If they don’t participate in an ongoing, comprehensive treatment plan that includes therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes, they may continue to struggle with these unresolved causes. This can result in dry drunk syndrome.

• Societal And Environmental Influences
  Social pressures and stigma continue to affect LGBTQ+ individuals even in recovery. These influences could include stressors at work, dysfunctional relationships, or environments where alcohol use was rampant. Ongoing exposure to societal stigma and prejudice can trigger feelings of exclusion, frustration, and resentment. These social pressures can make it difficult to maintain sobriety and lead to behaviors associated with dry drunk syndrome.

• Mental Health Disorders
  Mental health disorders are a common companion to addiction and can significantly impact recovery. LGBTQ+ individuals often experience higher rates of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, partly due to societal pressures and discrimination. These conditions don’t just go away with sobriety and can often intensify the feelings associated with dry drunk syndrome. The presence of untreated or poorly managed mental health conditions can lead to emotional instability, making it harder to maintain sobriety.

• Lack of Emotional Support
  Lack of emotional support is a significant factor that can cause dry drunk syndrome. Many individuals might find themselves without a strong support network, either because of strained family relationships or rejection from loved ones. This isolation can make it incredibly difficult to cope with the pressures of maintaining sobriety. Without this support, an individual might feel alone and overwhelmed by their struggles, leading to frustration and resentment. The absence of emotional connections can also leave them vulnerable, exhibiting the characteristics of the dry drunk syndrome.

Managing Dry Drunk Syndrome As An LGBTQ+ Person

Managing dry drunk syndrome requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of recovery. When it comes to coping with dry drunk syndrome, the first thing to do is seek therapy. A counselor can work with the LGBTQ+ person to determine what the root cause(s) of their alcohol struggles were. Then, they can overcome those past struggles and begin to change their behaviors for the better. In addition, attending therapy will ensure that they receive the treatment necessary if their dry drunk syndrome is being caused by an untreated mental condition like depression, anxiety or trauma. Alongside therapy, they can try the following tips to cope with dry drunk syndrome:

• Join support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous so as to provide a supportive environment with peers who understand their struggles
• Engage in mindfulness and meditation practices to help manage their stress and promote a more positive mindset.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle choice which may include regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques to improve their well-being and reduce the likelihood of relapse or participation in other negative behaviors.
• Develop positive, supportive relationships with friends, family members, loved ones, and allies who encourage sobriety so as to provide essential social support and prevent the feelings of isolation or loneliness that sometimes accompany recovery.
• Find creative ways to express their emotions like art or music

Get The Help You Need Today From Pride Detox

If you or an LGBTQ+ loved one exhibits any of the signs of being a dry drunk, please reach out to our caring staff at Pride detox. We can offer insight and resources to help you stay centered and focused so that you have a better chance of avoiding relapse. Also, if you’re currently struggling with alcohol addiction, reach out for help.

Pride detox can help you overcome your alcohol use or addiction through our detox program in a way that best prepares you for whatever you encounter along the path of recovery. Call us at 1-562-525-5121 to start your journey today!