Bush a "Dry Drunk"?

[OrlandoMike]

Someone on TV last night mentioned that they thought W was a dry drunk. This was a term I was unfamiliar with so I called a friend who is in AA. She said "Oh yes, it's pretty much common knowledge that he is a dry drunk!"

A dry drunk is someone who quits drinking, but does not go for help like AA.

Interesting article on the subject here.

http://www.counterpunch.org/wormer1011.html

I think this explains a lot!

 

[LindaR]

"Top Secret" gossip says that he's off the wagon AND that Laura is NOT living in the White House (the Hay-Adam, I think) and they are just keeping up public appearances to look happily married. I believe it.

 

[ConcKahuna]

"Top Secret" gossip says that he's off the wagon AND that Laura is NOT living in the White House (the Hay-Adam, I think) and they are just keeping up public appearances to look happily married. I believe it.

"Top Secret" as in most of the supermarket tabloids?

Hey, those papers really do release real news most of the time. They just like to enhance it a little. That doesnt mean you can't fish the real story out.

 

[daisax]

Here are some recent photos. Where Laura is, I have no idea. He did sit out some of the European meeting, claiming illness from something he had "eaten." Or maybe it was a hangover.

 

[peachgirl]

I think he's drinking again.

Can you blame him?

By definition he's a dry drunk...or at least he was.

 

[Laura]

"Top Secret" as in most of the supermarket tabloids?

Gossip columnist Ted Casablanca, who writes for E!. http://www.eonline.com/gossip/awful/?uuid=7c0bfd7f-4525-428a-b0aa-0b8fe92ca139
It would be interesting to know if it's true. Personally, I doubt it. The White House is a big place; she can just get another bedroom and never see him. Moving out--eventually people are going to notice.

As to whether he's drinking again--here's a pic: http://www.americablog.com/2007/06/is-bush-drinking-again.html
It's one of those non-alcoholic beers (they contain a small amount of alcohol), but they're not recommended for alcoholics, as far as I know.

 

[Galahad]

He was seen drinking beer on the last swing through Europe (photos and everything) and there's a photo I saw of him drinking something out of a paper bag -- no, I am not kidding. He was at a ballgame or something.

Oh, please. Do show us the photos.

ETA: Did a little looking. It was "near beer" - like O'douls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckler_(beer)

I know a lot of non-drinkers that drink non-alcoholic beer. Next.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Non-Drinkers are a whole lot different than Alcoholics!

 

[daisax]

Evidently he wraps his near beer in napkins, too (see pic above).

The alcoholics I know say you never, ever drink non-alcoholic beer if you're an alcoholic. It doesn't have MUCH alcohol, but it's got enough to get you started. Though I suppose it's good enough to get by with on public occasions when you know your picture will be taken and you need a little something.

BTW, a "dry drunk" isn't defined by whether they go to AA or not -- it's whether they still exhibit all the behaviors of an active drinker. If you truly get sober, you're not a dry drunk. A dry drunk usually just transfers all the negative behaviors into some other activity, and remains about as unpleasant to be around as they were when drinking. Often less pleasant.

 

[Galahad]

Mythology is a powerful thing, isn't it?

 

[peachgirl]

I'll do better...here's the video.

http://www.jibjab.com/view/68866

I know a lot of non-drinkers that drink non-alcoholic beer.

Do you know a lot of alcoholics who do?

 

[JunieJay]

Oh, please. Do show us the photos.

ETA: Did a little looking. It was "near beer" - like O'douls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckler_(beer)

I know a lot of non-drinkers that drink non-alcoholic beer. Next.

Near beers are a big no no among the AA set.

That said, I have no idea whether or not GWB is drinking or not. For the sake of his family and this country, I sure hope not.

 

[stargrazer]

OMG. Are you serious?

I don't know a lot of alchoholics, and although I respect the Office of the President, I can't stand Bush. That said, I think the whole 'dry drunk' thing is insulting for anyone that has quit abusing substances.

If someone used to have an addiction and found a way to get the monkey off their back, I'm going to say 'good going' not 'your just a dry drunk now'.

He's got and created a lot of problems but I doubt that staying OFF the sauce has much to do with them.

IMO.

 

[OrlandoMike]

There are a ton of those altered videos like the Jib Jab one out there. All they did was slow down the tape to make it look like he was drunk.

 

[lyeag]

I'll do better...here's the video.

http://www.jibjab.com/view/68866




Do you know a lot of alcoholics who do?

I do know one. ( I don't know many alcoholics) My fil does. He was a raging alcoholic for many years. Ruined two marriages, had electric shock treatments, AA, and then FINALLY stopped drinking and put together a very nice life in his mid to late 40's. He has O'douls at his house every time we visit. He likes the taste of beer. I have been married to his son for 11 years and in all that time he hasn't had a problem.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Evidently he wraps his near beer in napkins, too (see pic above).

Just to play devils advocate, maybe it was warm and the glass was sweating. I often wrap my glass in a napkin when it's warm. Just a thought.

 

[Galahad]

Non-Drinkers are a whole lot different than Alcoholics!

Yep. All we know about President Bush is that he doesn't drink.

 

[peachgirl]

There are a ton of those altered videos like the Jib Jab one out there. All they did was slow down the tape to make it look like he was drunk.

Yeah, I know. It was a joke. That's why there's a laughing smilie in my post.

To be serious though...recovering alcoholics should never drink low alcohol beer.

http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/relapse/a/aa000104a.htm

Those trying to abstain from alcohol are warned against the use of non-alcoholic beer, now there may be scientific evidence to support the admonition.....

 

[RitaZ.]

A dry drunk usually just transfers all the negative behaviors into some other activity, and remains about as unpleasant to be around as they were when drinking. Often less pleasant.

That's how people get over bad habits and/or addictions. One bad habit gets replaced with an acceptable one. This isn't exclusive to drinking.

 

[daisax]

Yep. All we know about President Bush is that he doesn't drink.

No, we know he CLAIMS he doesn't drink.

And frankly, his word isn't worth that much to me.

That's how people get over bad habits and/or addictions. One bad habit gets replaced with an acceptable one. This isn't exclusive to drinking.

It's not a matter of habit -- it's personality traits -- level of aggression, level of sneakiness, etc.

Here's a checklist of traits of the dry drunk:

* Exaggerated self-importance and pomposity
* Grandiose behavior
* A rigid, judgmental outlook
* Impatience
* Childish behavior
* Irresponsible behavior
* Irrational rationalization
* Projection
* Overreaction

Check, check, check, check, etc. etc. etc.