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A dry drunk is someone who exhibits alcoholic behaviors and
thinking but has not actually had any alcohol.
A dry drunk displays the same signs and symptoms as an alcoholic, such
as denial, anger, resentment, and spiritual and emotional immaturity. Actually,
there are many dry drunks in the twelve step rooms. They have gone to
alcoholics anonymous for years but still live an unmanageable life as they
struggle through each day without a drink.
Unfortunately, a dry drunk is still not sober, at least not
in the sense of being spiritual aware and mentally at peace with himself and
others. He still craves alcohol in the social sense because alcohol to him was
his best friend. Chances are high that a dry drunk will relapse over and over
again because they are not healthy spiritually, emotionally or mentally. In
essence they have a difficult time dealing with negative emotions and issues
that affect their daily life.
The good news is the dry drunk condition can be totally
eradicated from a person’s life, and they can be productive and happy people
without ever having another sip of alcohol. I call this total sobriety. Total
sobriety is getting to the root of the alcoholic’s problems first, and then
tackling the drinking problem, which is only a symptom of something greater
going on within the alcoholic. We often
overlook the mental, emotional, and spiritual condition of an alcoholic, and
instead focus only on the drinking. The drinking is secondary to the addiction.
All alcoholics need some kind of inner healing, and whether
they know that or not is another matter. An alcoholic will drink to feel better
emotionally and mentally. That, of course is part of the problem that
gives the alcoholic the compulsion to drink.
Intense emotions like anxiety, fear, panic attacks, mistrust, and
insecurity are some of the more prevalent signs that the alcoholic thinks
he needs another drink. A dry drunk
does not use alcohol to medicate his feelings with; therefore, they suffer
needlessly every day of their life.
Should the dry drunk drink so they will not have to suffer?
Of course not. They need to focus on healing the inner demons within them by
retiring their old life (sins, emotions, pride, selfishness, addiction, past)
to God. Unfortunately many dry drunks end up finding another addiction to take
up, which once again suppresses their emotions and keeps them from seeking God
for their life challenges.
Why is a dry drunk still not happy and at peace with
himself? Why do some alcoholic’s have a hard time coming to total sobriety?
They are not going to the root of the drinking problem, and they are not going
to God for the inner healing they desperately need. God is our source – period! What is so hard about believing that?
God is what makes a person whole in body, mind, and soul because He is our
source!
Total sobriety is having a healthy body, mind, and soul.
Without the three components of sobriety coming to light for the alcoholic, he
or she will almost always crave alcohol and, live in an unmanageable state,
living to drink, and drinking to just get by. Let's try total sobriety!
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Angie Lewis has written three books on how to have a happy
marriage. She has just finished her fourth book THE ALCOHOLISM TRAP:
Understanding Why You Drink and What You Can Do To Achieve Total Sobriety. For more information about this book and marriage
books, please visit: http://www.heavenministries.com
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