Dry Drunk Syndrome

Dry drunk syndrome is a term coined by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that describes characteristics of someone who is no longer consuming alcohol but is experiencing several behavioral and emotional symptoms of alcoholism, such as irresponsible behavior, impatience, impulsivity, "black and white" thinking, and a rigid, judgmental outlook. These individuals may portray an exaggerated sense of self-importance and grandiose behavior, such as seeking the center of attention for both positive and negative reasons. Additionally, characteristics such as dishonesty, inde-cisiveness, mood swings, and overreaction may be displayed. They may experience nostalgia or fantasize about drinking, and they may limit alcohol treatment attendance or drop out altogether. These features are seen as being more chronic in nature rather than temporary fluctuations in mood or behavior.

To understand the significance ...