If a person is drunk and exhibits a common behaviour that is found in many people under the influence of alcohol, then is "dry" for a period of time and experiences normal human mood fluxuations, why does Alcoholics Anonymous say he is on a "dry drunk"? Seems to me like it is a no win situation within the AA doctrine. What is going on here and is it healthy to make such comments to people trying to abstain from alcohol and other drugs?
2006-07-19 10:43:18 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
"Dry drunk" is a slur that is used to describe people who are sober without buying into AA 100%. There is no such condition as dry drunk except in the minds of AA members.
They can't stand the thought that someone is successful without the blessed program and will go out of their way to promote a relapse, to see the person "come crawling back with their tail between their legs". Many have told me that I should go out and try some controlled drinking, they're hoping to see me fail. I've been the subject of gossip and smear campaigns because they feel that somehow my sobriety threaten theirs. Some call me a dry drunk, others claim I must not have been a "real alcoholic" because I haven't had a drink in five years (in two weeks) and I've done it without their program.
AA is not about drinking or not drinking: "Your real purpose is to fit yourself to be of maximum service to God" (Big Book, pg77). If you look at AA as a religion, their motives for their actions become clear, they are trying to convert people. People must convert in order to prop up their own shaky belief systems.
The following courts have decided that AA is a religion or "religious in nature":
- The New York Court of Appeals.
- The Second District Court of Appeals.
- The Third District Court of Appeals.
- The Seventh District Court of Appeals.
- The Tennessee Supreme Court.
Anytime a higher court has made a ruling, the final outcome has been that AA is religious and that mandated attendance violates a person's rights.
2006-07-20 03:30:06 · answer #1 · answered by raysny 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Being a "dry drunk" is more a state of mind than anything else. While an alcoholic person stops drinking -especially in the early weeks, they still have the behavioral patterns of while they were drinking. Although I don't think AA is full proof, it provides support to those that need to quit drinking for obvious and not so obvious reasons. Until the recovering addict starts to change patterns of thinking and behavior, they remain a "dry addict"
2006-07-19 10:58:20 · answer #2 · answered by mrmojo4187 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A dry drunk is someone that has quit drinking and doesn't go to AA, because they say that alcoholism is a disease you need to go to AA to take care of it. Not true, I quit drinking about 5 months ago and even though I am considered a "dry drunk" by those AA freaks I really just think that I proved their 12 step program wrong. But I told myself that I wasn't going to AA. Dry drunk my *** if he don't drink then he don't drink and they need to mind their own business.
2006-07-19 10:50:04 · answer #3 · answered by tre_loc_dogg2000 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A dry drunk is someone who simply stops drinking without going through a real recovery process.
All the things that led them to drink are still lurking and they haven't resolved or faced them.
Addictive behaviors are nasty to the person and most everyone around them - recovering alcoholics usually clean-up that nastiness. The AA 12-step program is not the only way to stop addictive behaviors but it is a long-term proven way.
2006-07-19 10:47:37 · answer #4 · answered by Steve D 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dry drunk means your not drinking but you still have not dealt with the emotional/mental problems that lead you to drink in the first place.
Most people drink because there avoiding their own pane. If you have not done any grief work your a dry drunk.
I come from a family of alcoholics I know all about it. Been to all the meetings.
2006-07-19 10:48:32 · answer #5 · answered by lee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
read augusten burroughs book 'dry'.
2006-07-19 10:47:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋