When a heavy drinker quits drinking, their brain must adjust to the chemical damage that alcohol has caused.
This process can last for weeks, months, sometimes even years.
Symptoms of PAWS include dizziness, slow reflexes, and problems with balance and coordination.
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Symptoms
Dry drunk syndrome doesn’t happen overnight.
Instead, the following symptoms can develop slowly over time, especially during the first year of recovery.
Coping With Dry Drunk Syndrome
Recovery from an alcohol use disorder means more than quitting alcohol.
You may greatly benefit from the encouragement you canfind at a support groupmeeting like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
They may seem simple and unsurprising, but they do work for many people.
The goal is to fill the time you once spent drinking with activities that are enjoyable and engrossing.
Now is the time to pursue those things you’ve always wanted to learn.
Even the people who you alienated before you quit drinking may welcome the opportunity to spend time with you.
Dry Drunk Syndrome.Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, & Recovery.
doi:10.4135/9781412964500.n120
Mirijello A, D’angelo C, Ferrulli A, et al.Identification and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
