Drunks in Charge
Home | drydrunk | 12 Steps to a Sane World | Playing the Iraqis | Criminal Assault | Drunk Again

"dry drunk" syndrome

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.

"Dry Drunk" Syndrome and
George W. Bush

by KATHERINE van WORMER

 

George W. Bush manifests all the classic patterns of what alcoholics in recovery call "the dry drunk." His behavior is consistent with barely noticeable but meaningful brain damage brought on by years of heavy drinking and possible cocaine use. All the classic patterns of addictive thinking that are spelled out in my book are here:

the tendency to go to extremes (leading America into a massive 100 billion dollar strike-first war);

  • a "kill or be killed mentality;" the tunnel vision;
  • "I" as opposed to "we" thinking;
  • the black and white polarized thought processes (good versus evil, all or nothing thinking).
  • His drive to finish his father's battles is of no small significance, psychologically.