When an alcoholic stops drinking, it’s cause for rejoicing. Unfortunately, sobriety is not guaranteed to last. It takes hard work and commitment, and a keen eye for dangers.
One danger to the non-drinking alcoholic is the dry drunk, a set of habits and attitudes that take the joy out of life for the alcoholic and those around him or her. Those habits often precede a relapse into drinking, even if the alcoholic has been sober for years.
A dry drunk can be successfully treated. Here are some signs that will help you recognize the condition, and some suggestions for how to cope with it.