rum hound
n.— «So for the third time, Wilson checked himself into a private hospital in New York that specialized in drying out “rum hounds,” as he called himself. He knew what to expect: doses of barbiturates, bitter herbs, castor oil and other purgatives, vomiting, tremors and depression. He also knew that just about every hard case like him went back to drinking.The prospect was so dismal he picked up beer for the cab ride.» —“Wilson died sober but thirsty” by David von Drehle Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Ind.) May 9, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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