dry drunk

n. a sober person who behaves as if drunk, esp. a recovering alcoholic who displays bad judgment; such behavior. Subjects: English, United States, Jargon

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Citations: 1891 Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (Nov. 17) “A Secret Way of Getting Drunk” p. 3: He has hit upon the “dry drunk” scheme as a way to indulge his appetite without hurting his conscience. He is employed as a porter, and every night before he quits work he takes particular pains in cleaning up the wine cellar. He devotes about twenty minutes to smelling the bunghole of a barrel containing a particularly strong brand of cognac, after which he staggers homeward with all the symptoms of a regular “howling jag.” 1957 Morris Kaplan New York Times (Feb. 24) “Addictions Study Cites ‘Dry Drunk’” p. 58: A non-alcoholic drunk—a person intoxicated with his own abstiencne—was described here yesterday at a medical meeting.—Dr. Curtis T. Prout labeled such a person a “dry drunk."—The “dry drunk” was found to have grown almost obsessed with his changed existence. The maintenances of abstinence was associated frequently with a disturbed mind. Dr. Prout pointed out that addiction was characterized by a desire “toward an object and away from it.” 2002 Katherine van Wormer Counterpunch (Oct. 11) “Addiction, Brain Damage and the President”: Dry drunk is a slang term used by members and supporters of Alcoholics Anonymous and substance abuse counselors to describe the recovering alcoholic who is no longer drinking, one who is dry, but whose thinking is clouded. Such an individual is said to be dry but not truly sober. Such an individual tends to go to extremes.

Posted 13 May 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend