Helpless drunk also thirsty (4,3,3)
I believe the answer is:
high and dry
'helpless' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'drunk also thirsty' is the wordplay.
'drunk' becomes 'high' (I've seen this before).
'also' becomes 'and' (both can mean in addition).
'thirsty' becomes 'dry' (similar in meaning).
'high'+'and'+'dry'='HIGH-AND-DRY'
(Other definitions for high and dry that I've seen before include "like Noah on Ararat?" , "Stranded, helpless" , "Without resources" .)