Jean Strobel introduced me to the the “dry drunk syndrome” years ago and it has guideded my work ever since. A well-known pamphlet on the subject states, “Being dry is not the same as contented sobriety.”1 Bev Lemaniak, another important mentor, said it best: There’s more to recovery than sobriety.”
Dick Solberg, the pamphlet’s author, notes:
Dry drunk refers to attitudes and actions that poison our well-being. We keep acting "drunk," even when we're "dry." What's more, these attitudes and actions often show up after we've been sober for a while. They're a sure sign that we're experiencing discomfort in our lives.2
I’d argue that the attitudes and actions are generally present before struggles with alcohol and other drugs develop. They represent the driver or “switch” (and here) for addiction.
Solberg explored some “obvious traits” of those with substance use disorders including grandiosity, judgmentalism, intolerance and impulsivity.3 Some in recovery refer to these are “character defects.”4 From a clinical standpoint, we think in terms of attachment patterns, personality structure, irrational beliefs,5 and so forth. Treatment involves targeting these underlying issues. ✸
- R.J. Solberg. The Dry Drunk Syndrome, Revised Edition. Center City, MN: Hazelden, 1993, p. i
- Ibid., pp. 1–2; emphasis in the original
- Ibid., pp. 3–8
- Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, 2001, pp. 58–71, 72–88 (Step 6)
- Irrational beliefs, or iBs, are a core feature of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. Those with substance use disorders often address awfulizing, frustration intolerance and self-downing by “chemical coping”
Endnote. According to Hazelden, Solberg’s pamphlet was initially published in 1970. It was revised in 1983 and 1993. There have been many different covers over the years and pamphlets are often undated. The copy that Jean Strobel gave to me appears to be a later printing of the first edition (publishing mark: dry drunk is hyphenated).
Solberg also authored The Dry Drunk Revisited, which was published in 1980 and is now out of print.
Many thanks to Chuck B. for helping me understand the publication history.
Series Installments
Find the Switch
Find the Switch — 2
Find the Switch — 3
Find the Switch — 4
