[Erebos]

Just woke up recovering from a really vivid dream where I was using.
It started with me withdrawing, then the usual hassle of scoring onto the using part, where something inevitably goes wrong, or I wake up.

It's so bloody real though.
I can handle cravings and stuff when I am conscious, because I can do things to distract or self soothe. But in my sleep?!
There's nothing I can do, and I wake up feeling really bad.

Anyone else experienced this?
What did you do?

Eugh, can I restart my day please.

Yes, I experienced this frequently when I first quit drinking and smoking.

As my recovery advanced, the dreams eventually faded into the background.

It's been over 20 years, but every now and then I'll still dream about it.

I don't think it's something that we will ever be totally free of.

And, even though there may not be much we can do about it while sleeping, upon waking there certainly is.

For me, it's to immediately employ all the grounding and self-soothing techniques I've learned along the way.

I also begin reassuring myself in a gentle voice that it was just a dream, that I haven't totally effed up, and everything is going to be alright.

I wish you the best, it isn't easy, but it does fade and gets better with time.

Sincerely,
Pflower!

[Erebos]

I been addicted to something for 24 years. ,first uppers, then drink, now heroine.
But it's the bloody methadone that facilitates these vivid dreams. Or rather the withdrawal from it.

It's so vivid I can smell the gear. And it's just makes me frustrated and I cannot shake that "so close,but not quite feeling."

Thank you for reminding me I am not alone pflower, cos it feels like it at times.

((( Erebos ))) ...

I remember being able to smell and taste it in my dreams too!

Addictions play so unfair with us!

Stay strong, my friend! ... Stay strong!

[Creeture124]

Your deffiently not alone. Dreams can be very powerful and seem very real.,but that just it they are dreams.
Been dealing with nightly occurrence about dreams of using. And I wake up thinking I'm going through withdrawels again.
Just remember they are dreams and they have no hold over you

[splitimage]

You are most definitely not alone. Using dreams are pretty common. When I was in my last rehab, nearly everyone had them at least once. I don't get them all that often, but when I do, I wake up in a panic, thinking I've blown my sobriety date, and really did get drunk, the dreams are so realistic. I have to practice all my grounding skills to remind myself that it was just a dream and that I didn't really drink.

Hopefully the dreams will lessen with time.

splitimage

[LittleMouse78]

I definitely feel for you! I'm on methadone so I geuss I'm not technically 'clean' but, I haven't used my drug of choice for quite some time now. But even after all these years I still dream of using! Its so strange because in the dreams I don't even think about the consequences, like I would do now IRL. Theres no hesitation at all....I just go and try to find somewhere to use, and most of the time I wake up. But then there are the times where I do use and actually feel it....frustrating!
Fortunately, these dreams are coming less frequently.
Hang in there! The longer you give your mind and body away from that lifestyle, the easier it gets.