Serenity Lane offices have been impacted by the ice storm throughout the state. Click here for the most up-to-date information on the status of our services. (last updated 1/18/2024, 5:42 PM)
When was the last time you said the word “groovy” to refer to something you thought was cool? Maybe you’ve never said it before, but we all can think of at least one slang word we used to use that reminds us of our childhood and years past.
Language and slang evolve every year and can vary from state to state. While not as frequent, the same is true in the medical field. Terms become outdated as new studies come out. We’ve learned a lot about how language can impact mental health, and this includes how conditions and people are labeled. “Dry drunk” is one such term that used to be common but has since evolved.
More than 1 in 4 Oregon residents aged 18-34 binge drink regularly. Alcohol use isn’t uncommon in our state, so why is there not more education surrounding alcohol and alcohol use disorders? Our team at Serenity Lane aims to help with this. That’s why today we’re going to answer the question, “What is a dry drunk?”
The term “dry drunk” or “dry drunk syndrome” was coined by Alcoholics Anonymous, with its first appearance on paper coming from a pamphlet by R.J. Solberg in the 1980s.
It was originally used to refer to someone who was going through the AA program but wasn’t “putting in the work” or “trying hard enough.” Generally, the term was used as a way to shame those dealing with the continued side effects of long-term alcohol use, while praising those who hid those symptoms or were lucky and didn’t experience them the same way.
The condition known as “dry drunk syndrome” was not one coined by a medical professional. It didn’t have a set way to “diagnose” someone with it and was instead thrown around as a slang term for people going through withdrawal. The term “dry drunk” is not an actual condition recognized in the medical community.
In addition to that, referring to someone as a “dry drunk” can come with many stigmatized and negative connotations. You’re defining someone by their condition. This can underplay the seriousness of their side effects and have an undertone of blame on the individual.
Since the original use of the word, much more research has occurred regarding alcohol use disorders and how long-term alcohol use impacts the brain and body. We have a better understanding of alcohol withdrawal and new terms and conditions have been discovered, as well.
The primary condition that “dry drunk” is related to is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
At the end of the day, you shouldn’t be referring to someone only by the condition they are managing or seeking treatment for. You wouldn’t constantly refer to someone who was battling cancer as a “cancer patient,” so why would you refer to someone recovering from an alcohol use disorder by their condition?
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), while not exclusive to alcohol, is not uncommon in those going through alcohol use recovery. It is a form of protracted withdrawal, which is when symptoms of withdrawal persist for weeks, months, or even years after a person’s last drink or dose. Since some of these symptoms can occur during alcohol use, due to long-term damage, people erroneously assumed they stemmed from someone who was unwilling to commit to healing. This is where the term “dry drunk” stemmed from.
The symptoms of PAWS can vary from person to person, from what they experience to how intense or long they experience them. When unaddressed, PAWS can interfere with recovery and lead to an increased risk of returning to use.
Many of the side effects of post-acute withdrawal can overlap with symptoms experienced when someone has alcohol in their system. This is due to the long-term damage alcohol does to the body.
While there is no specific formula that guarantees alcohol withdrawal, the odds increase the more frequently you drink, the more you drink in one sitting, and the longer you continue to drink throughout your life.
Here are the most common signs of PAWS.
As we mentioned earlier, the symptoms of PAWS can sometimes last for years after your last drink, so how can you manage this? Is there a way to address it?
The best thing you can do for yourself is to find support. No one should have to walk a road of healing on their own. Support can come from family and friends, from groups and treatment centers, or any combination of these. There’s no such thing as too much support and different forms can provide different advice and assistance when you need it.
In addition to support, distractions and new routines can go a long way. Many of the symptoms of PAWS become more apparent whenever you have downtime. It’s much easier to fixate on them when you’re not busy. Find new hobbies, take a walk outside once a week, pick up a book, or try to learn a new skill. These are just a few of the many ways you can help fill the time you used to spend with alcohol to help bolster your recovery journey.
Finally, don’t forget to be patient with yourself. Making a life change isn’t going to instantly click overnight. There’s going to be obstacles and hiccups along the way, but that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Reward yourself for your accomplishments, no matter how small. What you’re doing is incredible and you should be proud of yourself.
Addressing alcohol withdrawal starts with starting treatment for alcoholism. Through treatment, you will learn the tools you need to manage your alcohol use disorder and find healing.
Finding proper treatment for an alcohol use disorder can also help with your safety during the beginning of your journey. Alcohol withdrawal can come with serious side effects like seizures and delirium tremens. From there, inpatient and outpatient programs will help continue to support you and build a strong foundation for long-term recovery. You will work with a medical team to determine your needs during recovery, which can change over time.
There’s no wrong way to go about recovery. Some periods in life have more obstacles and stressors than others. It’s okay to have changes in support needs, no matter how long you’ve been in recovery.
If you’re ready to find support and care as you start your recovery journey away from alcohol use, our team at Serenity Lane is here for you. As one of the oldest non-profit rehabs in the state, our team of master’s level physicians is equipped to help you along every step of your healing journey. There’s no wrong time to get started, so call us today at 800-543-9905 and we’ll empower you to take the next step.
Find serenity in long-term recovery.
Copyright © 2026 SERENITY LANE
SERENITY LANE is a registered trademark of Serenity Lane, an Oregon non-profit corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
