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INTRODUCTION
Sobriety will have its ups and downs, its good and its bad times. Life doesn't necessarily always hand us what we want and, because we live in a ever-changing society, we will always experience shocks and setbacks from time to time, which, if dealt with in a constructive manner need not imperil sobriety.

DEFINITION:
The "Dry Drunk" syndrome is a term that should not be used whenever one is experiencing a down or having a bad day. The dry drunk is a condition far more serious, and the phrase "dry drunk" refers to a condition where a person is intoxicated and/or acts in such a manner, without having taken alcohol or another chemical substance. The above definition is derived from the two words "dry" - which refers to the fact that one abstains from drinking or drugging, and "drunk" which signifies a deeply pathological condition resulting from the use of chemical substances in the past.

INTOXICATION WITHOUT CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES thus implies a state of mind and/or a mode of behavior, which is poisonous to the alcoholic's or drug addict's well-being. Persons experiencing dry drunk are unrealistic, their verbal and physical behavior is unacceptable and for whatever reason, they revert back to previous chemically related behavior.

The latter, however, is not chemically induced. Let us examine some of the ways in which "Dry Drunk" manifests itself.

SYMPTOMS OF "DRY DRUNK" SYNDROME

1. Grandiosity:
   This means an exaggeration of one's own importance, and either one's strengths or weaknesses are exaggerated. In either case, one is blatantly pulling oneself at the center of attention, and it is self-seeking or self-serving.
2. Judgementalism:
   This means that the drug dependent persons are prone to make value judgments which are strikingly inappropriate, and usually a projection of how they feel themselves. Drug dependents are inclined to judge themselves rather harshly in regard to their drug-taking behavior and, in order to disguise their feelings of personal unworthiness; they tend to subject others (e.g. family, friends, employers, etc.) to the same rigid system of evaluation.
3. Intolerance
   means the inability to delay the gratification of personal needs and desires. It is usually accompanied by a gross confusion of priorities. A mere whim is therefore mistakenly given more importance than genuine needs.
4. Impulsivity:
   Is the result of intolerance, and it describes behavior which is heedless of the ultimate consequences for self and/or others. Impassivity is not reserved for the Dry Drunk victim only, but for the drug dependent the consequences are far worse and sometimes even life threatening.
5. Indecisiveness:
   This is related to impulsivity in the sense that while the latter takes no realistic account of the consequences of the actions, the former precludes and eliminates effective action altogether. Indecisiveness stems from an unrealistic exaggeration of the negative possibilities of the proposed action, and it therefore prevents one from taking any effective action at all.

The above mentioned conditions taken separately or together can lead to the following symptoms:

1. Mood swings, which are totally unrelated to the circumstances to which one tries to, link them.
2. Inability to demonstrate emotions freely and naturally. A lack of emotional spontaneity.
3. Introspection: The "Dry Drunk" finds it very difficult, if not impossible to look inward and to examine each thought and desire which is linked directly to the attitude one displays.
4. Detachment: The "Dry Drunk" becomes indifferent, aloof, has no special likes or dislikes and he withdraws.
5. Self-absorption - i.e. dwelling on one's self and, to put it quite simply is love of self.
6. Dissatisfaction: The "Dry Drunk" is often unable to enjoy activities, which he previously enjoyed, e.g. music, reading, sport, etc. and he finds nothing stimulating or satisfying.
7. Boredom is a common complaint.
8. Lack of concentration, disorganization and distractibility are also common symptoms of "dry drunk"
9. A nostalgia and euphoric recall quite often sets in.
10. There can be a kind of romanticism and the "dry drunk" tends to value and yearn for a lifestyle that can be dangerous to his/her sobriety.
11. Escapism: Fantasizing, daydreaming and wishful thinking are very much evident during the "dry drunk" phase.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS:

After defining the term "Dry Drunk" and after identifying some of the symptoms common the "Dry Drunk" Syndrome, one can conclude that the term "Dry Drunk" denotes the absence of favorable change in the attitudes and behavior of the drug dependent or alcoholic who is not using their drug of abuse.

It can also refer to the reversion to these attitudes and behavior by the chemically dependent person who has experienced a period of successful sobriety. It is however, important to keep in mind that unrealistic, unacceptable behavior is not confined to the chemically dependent person only. And as already pointed out, every up and down shouldn't be described as symptoms of "dry drunk". The self-destructive attitudes and behavior of the "dry drunk" are different in duration and degree, but not in kind. It affects all of us and, like active drug dependence does not respect age, race, economic status on social class. Therefore, be vigilant and on guard all the time and above all be honest enough with yourself to recognise the signs.

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