Dry Drunk Syndrome and Ways to Manage it

1. Dry Drunk Syndrome Dry Drunk Syndrome and and Ways to Manage it Ways to Manage it Even after two years of quitting alcohol, Greg continued to give a hard time to his friends and family. He would often throw tantrums and behave irrationally when it was least expected of him. His family was disturbed and confused because he no longer craved for alcohol and his behavioral outbursts were inexplicable. Many people would identify with Greg’s condition where, despite treatment, they continue to feel the emotional pangs and poor mental health that caused addiction. Their brains are wired in a way that even if they do not physically crave the substance, they continue to grapple with behavioral issues associated with addiction. This is known as dry drunk syndrome. Recovery is a holistic term and often a lifelong According to the HBO Addiction only after a person has spent at least four to five years receiving support, recovery be labeled successful. Even the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) maintains that detox, which is not followed by a therapy, is an incomplete form of treatment. The unresolved behavioral issues increase a person’s susceptibility to relapse and put his/her family members at a risk of dealing with the resulting complexities which could have been resolved had one sought adequate recovery therapy for it. process. Project, can the behavioral Symptomatic manifestations A person grappling with the dry drunk syndrome usually exhibits one or more of the following symptoms: They get bitter with the person who pushed them towards abstinence. They feel depressed that they cannot drink again as they used to due to the fear of triggering a relapse. www.sovfl.com

2. They cannot come to terms with the reality that their drinking problem has held them back in pursuing their goals and dreams. They develop extreme fear of failure. This is because the years of experience which could have made them wiser were wasted on addiction. For such people, the difference between failure and success may not be well-defined. They harbor jealousy against people who can enjoy life without dependence on any substance. They can be insensitive towards people pursuing their ambition and try to hold them back. They feel tired owning to the damage caused by their drinking problem. Dry drunk symptoms usually surface when an individual decides to take his/her addiction problem in his/her own hands without adequate medical support. One might be successful in quitting alcohol. However, in the absence of holistic treatment, the person is unable to learn essential coping mechanism and deal with the behavioral and emotional turmoil tied to withdrawal. While the person and his family might rejoice overcoming the addiction, the stakes are high. The unresolved psychological issues can resurface and put the relationships in trouble. Road to recovery Recovering from alcohol addiction can be an arduous journey. While one may conquer the addiction part, coming to terms with routine life, and filling the void created by a former addiction by something concrete and meaningful is possible only when one is committed to a treatment plan that addresses both the addiction and the mental health of a person. When a person suffers from both substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental illness, it is known as co- occurring disorders or dual diagnosis. It is indispensable for the one recovering from the physical and psychological perils of alcohol addiction to seek treatment for both. Sovereign Health’s Fort Myers and Pompano Beach facilities are among the leading providers of treatment for dual diagnosis in Florida. Our assessment protocols warrant that none of the conditions goes undiagnosed. Based on the results of a thorough diagnostic assessment, our team of addiction and mental health specialists build an individualized treatment plan. Call our 24/7 helpline (866) 217-5527 to learn more about our dual diagnosis treatment center in Florida. www.sovfl.com