2nd bad dream in 3 days

Aquaman · MIP Old Timer

2nd bad dream in 3 days

Toad · Senior Member

Hi,
Yep !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cunning , Baffling, and Powerful.
Every now and again I yet still get one of those dreams. I dream that I am using and in the dream, I am dreaming. ( Two dreams going on at once.) Some where in between the two dreams I am lying to every one about using. Then panic sets in. I do not know whether I am using or not.
I wake up full of fear. Am I really clean and sober ?? The dreams are that real. Slowly reality catches up with the dream space and I start to relax. Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nasty dream.
Read my recovery books, drop to my knees say a prayer and get on with my day.
Nothing to be afraid of.
Toad

louisa · Senior Member

(((Rob)))
Oh they are nasty nasty nasty - horrible. If I have one I think OK....Ok I can deal with that .....but I went through a patch of having a few and I was very frightened thinking what iS going on?

The confusion of waking up not knowing if I had drunk or not is very frightening.......and I always seemed to end up waking up with feelings of impending doom...... cry

I now know like Toad said they are NOTHING to be frightened of - I just kind of "tread water" with my panic........and wait for reality to come back telling myself "This Too Shall Pass"....but I HATE them.

They are much less now - but I did have one the other week - felt hungover (for me they seem to be linked to tiredness too - have been a bit stressed lately doh

).

I empathise!!!!!Horrible things! confuse

Love Louisa xx

happycamper · MIP Old Timer

Ive not had a drunk dream in a long time. Ive had some that kept me shook up for the whole day long. when I do have them, I roll outa bed right to my knee's thanking God that its not real.

Ive oftenthought that its not actually the booze that is cunning, baffling and powerful as much as the obsesion that I have for it is.

-- Edited by happycamper on Sunday 5th of September 2010 02:39:03 PM

ferrisdp · Senior Member

Being sober only 6 months I was getting them frequently but they had stopped in last month and a half or so. Then I had them two nights in a row last week. In them I'm always upset because my sober date has to change.

The Friday before I was on a boat around Manhattan where there was an open bar and Sunday I went to a club to see my son perform. I try to avoid these situations so my aftercare counseler thought it had something to do with that. They're scary though.

kld47 · Senior Member

Hi

Years ago just starting to get sober I had them quite a bit.

Now about the only time I do have one is if I have read about someone--like sometimes from this board--who has had too much or a movie or show that has a lot of bar sceens in it. That is one reason I never got into watching Cheers.

leeu · MIP Old Timer

Back in the day, I learned from some researchers studying addiction and the brain that the dreams (using, drinking, being drunk/stoned/smoking cigarettes) result from some neurotransmission process connected to the physiology of addiction, when the disease is in remission. There is no cure for addictive disease (including alcoholism) and it does not leave the body when it is in remission, no matter how long we have been alcohol/drug/nicotine free. So the dreams are not something that we cause or can control...they are part of the underlying progression that affects a high percentage of recovered alcoholics/addicts, and as such, a "normal" phenomenon...and really, really, uncomfortable!! They seem to come and go randomly and usually lessen with time. I will say, even with double-digits ODAT, I still get the little beasts from time to time. Never ceases to amaze me. They scare me, even though I know they will leave soon on their own terms.

-- Edited by leeu on Sunday 5th of September 2010 04:19:40 PM

Reffner · Senior Member

I haven't had one for quite a long time either, but don't care for them at all. My sponsor calls them a "free relapse", and I guess he's right. I get to feel all the shame, guilt, and remorse without having to reset my sober date. They help me remember the place I could very easily go back to if I'm not diligent. So as much as I hate them, I guess instead of getting all freaked out over them, I'll use them to help me remember.

Brian

jonijoni1 · MIP Old Timer

Rob, that Blows!!
Sucks to have an emotional hangover from a using dream and we haven't even partaken... and thank GOD!! I am so glad it was only a dream. And I hope you sleep better for the next few nights. I know you are busy with your baby a lot, but please remember to take caer of Rob too!

((((hugs))))

Dave Harm · Senior Member

Oh they are no fun...

I still have them just pop up out of the blue and in those dreams all my energy is trying to protect the secret of me drinking and the lies to AA that I am still sober...

It is a shock to wake up and then total relief knowing it was just a dream... whew...

Jerry F · MIP Old Timer

Your subconscious is still using...keep your consciousness and yourself away from
the chemicals.   Dreams don't hurt...they are the FE part of the word FEAR. FAlse
Evidence...Appearing Real.   I can count the number of pleasant dreams I have
in my lifetime on one hand...the rest?...just like your nightmares but once I got
a handle on the subconscious/consciousness I let them pass like in "This too will
pass."   Keep on keeping one.   smile

TwelveSteps · Senior Member

I've had those to... I just wake up glAd that it was a dream and that I didn't slip up in real life!

GG

Lexie · Senior Member

I agree with Jerry--dreaming that I'm being chased by monsters doesn't mean monsters are after me. Dreaming that I'm naked in public doesn't mean I'm gonna do it. Dreams do play out our worst thoughts and fears--it doesn't mean much except that the thought of relapse is scary. Which is as it should be.

Aquaman · MIP Old Timer

Thanks, ya'll. I know they're just dreams but they suck, nonetheless. I don't recall giving my head permission to mess with me.
Last night was about chasing jackelopes. WTF?

Peace,
Rob

susanbiel · Veteran Member

Rob,

I hate having drinking dreams. When they pop up for me I ususally have a "hangover" the next day. It really feels like a hangover too. The mind is reminding us that we CAN NOT use; no matter what.