What's a dry drunk?

[gelgit]

Some sad sack, sour old guy sitting on a bench? Now that I'm determined to be AF, healthy and happy will I also be a sexy, sour old dry drunk? I think it means that you can never get over the urges to drink and that doesn't sound like what's going on with a lot of people here?

I guess I have a fear of never getting over it: even if I'm AF forever.:h

[believer]

What's a dry drunk?

Hi Gelgit.

There's a lot of info that many "problem drinkers" are actually hypoglycemic. In fact, one of the first people to look into supplements (see "7 weeks to recovery") says that about 99% of the problem drinkers she sees in her program are hypoglycemic. She even describes the dry drunk phenomenon as symtoms of hypoglycemia. That would explain why so many people have cravings at 6 to 8 (I think). Still need to look into it . I'll try to post all the info I have tomorrow.

B.

[believer]

What's a dry drunk?

Oops. The book is "Seven Weeks to Sobriety"

[Cheebs]

What's a dry drunk?

gelgit- Three words you used....happy, healthy and.........sexy!!!! Been a while. I want them back.

[maasai]

What's a dry drunk?

hie gelgit, dry drunk to me is situation why an alcoholic is not drinking but his/her past behavours have not changed, he/she still behaves and does what he was still behaving while drinking.

[MyHeartIsDrenchedInWine]

What's a dry drunk?

I am interested in this blood sugar phenomenon. I have high blood sugar and it's my understanding hypoglycemia is low blood sugar????? How does alcohol affect us regarding this?

[caseaday]

What's a dry drunk?

I actually read the book 7 Weeks to Sobriety and it is very good. There are some similarities in the program as the author believes in a very intense use of supplements. I was actually on the program at one point in time but it didn't work because I was trying to mod rather than quit.

Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. It is caused by the interaction of the alcohol, adrenal gland, the pancreas and the brain. The alcohol raises blood sugar which causes the pancreas to indicate to the body to lower its level of sugar. This in turn causes the adrenal gland to activate putting the body in a hyper state. Which is actually counter intutitive. When you stop drinking the entire process has been activated but the body is no longer getting the sugar and the whole system crashes leaving you in a hypo state. It is like viscious cycle. In the book, it is recommended that alcoholics replace simple sugars and carbs with complex carbs. I.e. white bread is replaced by rye bread.

The book is very interesting and I would recommend it additional reading to anyone looking for more answers.

[Ripple]

What's a dry drunk?

...

dry..um? thirsty miserable person who wants to ruin the happiness of others! Final answer an ASS H :h LE..must bonk them on the head with my wand as they need water and miracle grow. Sadly they were rotten before the bottle left their hands, usually a dryed up drunk will return to the bottle for security. :upset:

[xtexan]

What's a dry drunk?

I thought I would chime in here with a few words of encouragement.

I also felt I would never get over the deep desire to get ripped when things got difficult, or a set of trigger conditions manifested. However, as my AF time increases, things get a little more stable all the time. Sometimes in bursts as I go through the cycles of my recovery.

I believe the blood sugar really does have a powerful effect on this.

To that end, I have changed my diet radically. No more refined sugars, or refined grains. Read only whole grain carbs, and whole fruits and veggies. It has had an considerable effect.

Also, I gave up totally on caffeine 3 months ago as well. This has had a further stabilizing effect on my blood sugar.

I went so far as to get one of those blood sugar meters that diabetics use, and take readings for a while to see how I was bouncing around.

In addition to a regular exercise program, I have also altered the timing of how I eat. Part of my personal program for improvement in blood sugar, athletic performance, and overall well-being is eating roughly 6 times a day in "mini-meals". This keeps blood sugar very stablized.

When I see folks that are going off the alcohol, gorging on coffee and sugar, it makes me cringe a bit now. I understand why, because I used to do it too. Tons of caffeine and sugar in an attempt to get that blood sugar up, but the crash that happens is just not worth the temporary high. Getting off all the toxic things was my best strategy for staying totally sober for the long haul.

Many here know from my posts in long term, my great fear is relapse due to something I have missed. I am totally serious about this, because for me, relapse would probably end in early death. I will not, and cannot let that happen. Whatever it takes.

I also feel that a "dry drunk" avoids dealing with the raft of psychological issues that either in part caused the drinking behaviour, or were caused by the drinking excess. I won't go into all the things I've done on that front.

Instead of being bitter about my sobriety, I now revel in it. I am happy that I can be clear headed. I am happy that I can now do things that used to be impossible for me during my drinking days. It is a mindset. It is taking wings, and rising above what we used to be.

Just my three cents (two cents with inflation)

Neil
2 years 4 months AF

[Laurav]

What's a dry drunk?

Fantastic info Neil!
Thanks

[Guest]

What's a dry drunk?

I was a dry drunk two years ago. It was awful - all I could think about was getting an excuse to finally have a drink. I couldn't deal with anything properly either. So I got myself stuck in a personally destructive situation, which lowered what little confidence I had - then a series of incidents gave me the perfect excuse to drink again.

Down hill all the way - has taken me two years to get to a new rock bottom so I could change at last.

[gelgit]

What's a dry drunk?

wickepedia PLUS!

Thanx.
UKblonde...do you think it could have been the hypoglycemic theory? Have you changed anything besides being AF?
xtexan.. totally inspiring! Uplifting info.
massai and Ripple .. you have clearly stated exactly what I am afraid of. :upset::upset: Could you be wrong?
As you know, I'm a believer too ... for the hopeful information. I'll get the book. I totally believe in nutrition as medicine.
Cheebs... sexy is a state of mind... fun, passionate, intriguing and mysterious. We all need a little magic. xx g.

[Cheebs]

What's a dry drunk?

Thanks gelgit- It is a state of mind, it's just hard to get in that state of mind with a thobbing headache, puffy face and a bad attitude. I will get over all of that. Today, I do feel a little bit sexier!:thanks:

[LVT25]

What's a dry drunk?

:argh: EXTEX--You mean I gotta give up ciggies, beer, sugar AND caffeine?????:upset:

[gabby1go]

What's a dry drunk?

xtexan and others,

I too think this theory is true. I only eat complex carbs, fruit, lean protein, and a lot of veggies. I eat three meals a with snacks in between. No sugar. None. I have a glucose meter and check my blood sugar regularly. I exercise every day. I can't tell you how great I feel. I started this regime before going AF recently and went through little to no w/d. I also take MWO supps., multivitamin, and some other supps. I think this type of diet lends itself to balancing your body and brain chemistry. My cravings are almost none (even at my witching hour).