---
title: "Dry-Drunk-Syndrome – unhappy sober alcoholics"
description: "\"[Dry Drunk Syndrome](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/docs/dry-drunk-syndrome-and-quotes-from-bill-w/)\" refers to behaviors of sober alcoholics that still correspond to those of drinkers. These include [depression](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/docs/considering-methodological-limitations-in-the-evidence-base-of-antidepressants-for-depression-a-reanalysis-of-a-network-meta-analysis/), [anxiety](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/alcohol-anxiety-and-depression-video/) and [panic attacks](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/just-like-alcohol-abuse-anxiety-and-panic-disorders-are-physical-illnesses/), and inner emptiness. Some \"[dry drunks](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/docs/dry-drunk-as-a-supposedly-purely-psychological-problem/)\" develop almost hostile behavior towards relatives and friends, are angry about…"
url: "https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/docs/sobriety-dictionary/dry-drunk-syndrome-unhappy-sober-alcoholics/"
updated: "2026-10-20"
category: Sobriety Dictionary
tags:
  - Abram Hoffer
  - Anxiety
  - anxiety disorders
  - Bill W.
  - depression
  - Dry Drunk
  - Dry Drunk Syndrome
  - panic attacks
---

# Dry-Drunk-Syndrome – unhappy sober alcoholics

"[Dry Drunk Syndrome](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/docs/dry-drunk-syndrome-and-quotes-from-bill-w/)" refers to behaviors of sober alcoholics that still correspond to those of drinkers. These include [depression](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/docs/considering-methodological-limitations-in-the-evidence-base-of-antidepressants-for-depression-a-reanalysis-of-a-network-meta-analysis/), [anxiety](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/alcohol-anxiety-and-depression-video/) and [panic attacks](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/just-like-alcohol-abuse-anxiety-and-panic-disorders-are-physical-illnesses/), and inner emptiness.

Some "[dry drunks](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/docs/dry-drunk-as-a-supposedly-purely-psychological-problem/)" develop almost hostile behavior towards relatives and friends, are angry about the "compulsion to be dry" and envious of all those who do not struggle with [alcohol addiction](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/docs/endogenous-opioid-systems-and-alcohol-addiction/). A typical characteristic is also the strong self-centeredness of dry drunks. Many romanticize their time when they were still drinking and/or replace their alcohol addiction with another such as after sex, internet, or food.

The most famous Dry Drunk patient was [Bill W](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/hoffer-abram-saul-andrew-the-vitamin-cure-for-alcoholism-basic-health-publications-2009/)., one of the founders of [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/wasted-a-documentary/). He ended the problem for himself through a nutrient concept he developed with physician [Abram Hoffer,](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/hoffer-abram-saul-andrew-the-vitamin-cure-for-alcoholism-basic-health-publications-2009/) but was unable to get it accepted by Alcoholics Anonymous. The concept centered on vitamin B3 (niacin).

More information: In the book "[Bye bye, booze!](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/read-bye-bye-booze-for-free/)" | On this website in the [video section](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/hoffer-abram-saul-andrew-the-vitamin-cure-for-alcoholism-basic-health-publications-2009/).

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![MD & author at Bye-Bye-Booze](https://www.bye-bye-booze.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Bernd_author_box.jpg)

### Bernd Guzek, MD, PhD

Physician, author & co-founder of Bye-Bye-Booze

Specialized in biochemical mechanisms of addiction and brain metabolism.

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