I'm three and a half years sober and still get several of those dreams a week. My experience tracks with yours — I end up at a show with friends and temporarily forget that I'm sober, only to have the least fulfilling night and severe regret. They're a blessing + a curse!! However, I'd much rather dream-me reap the consequences than real-me.
Drinking dreams are a gift. Mine generally involve just the decision to drink and then my horror that I tossed decades of sobriety in a flash. I awake relieved.
These are amazing perspectives. So nice to know I’m not alone. Mine are never ever fun. They are almost always ruining my recovery. I suppose that is a gift too, just how precious it is to me.
I have the same dream except not about alcohol -- instead that I am hanging out with my 30+ years-ago ex, and I suddenly realize I spent the night with him, and my husband doesn't know where I am, and I must have cheated... "how can I explain this to him"... It is an *awful* dream, and I still have it about once a year after thirty years! It was hard to shake it off, and easier now, like you said.
Thank you for the empathy, and I love that you found a bright side in the 30 years that I don't want to jeopardize. (My husband and I met 30 years ago as of just a few days ago, fun to remember that.)
I've had these dreams periodically. Usually I'm in a situation where being drunk isn't appropriate: I'm in a store, and I'm knocking things over or falling down. And I can feel the judgement and the people around are very open about it. "Look at her" or "Can you please leave"...
My drinking dreams rarely occur anymore (19 months), but it would be the same one on repeat between months 3-9.
I’d be visiting old college friends or high school friends and we’d be in a circle standing outside. Someone would be holding a bottle or two of wine and I, in my socially anxious state, insecure of being sober around these drinkers, would say something like “oh, I’ve been so good, I can have a glass.” And then I’d drink the bottle.
It was terrifying—that was the line I used to say before I committed to sobriety. I’d go a few weeks without a drink and then I’d be with people, perhaps slightly socially anxious, and decided I “deserved” a drink which led to multiple which led to fights or embarrassing flirtations or nasty hangovers etc.
the beauty of these dreams, though, is how relieved you feel when you wake up. How you re-remember how important your sobriety is to you. And how fragile too. It’s a nudge from your subconscious to protect this gift fiercely.
I'm three and a half years sober and still get several of those dreams a week. My experience tracks with yours — I end up at a show with friends and temporarily forget that I'm sober, only to have the least fulfilling night and severe regret. They're a blessing + a curse!! However, I'd much rather dream-me reap the consequences than real-me.
Definitely a blessing and a curse!
Drinking dreams are a gift. Mine generally involve just the decision to drink and then my horror that I tossed decades of sobriety in a flash. I awake relieved.
100%
These are amazing perspectives. So nice to know I’m not alone. Mine are never ever fun. They are almost always ruining my recovery. I suppose that is a gift too, just how precious it is to me.
It is a gift! Just one that makes you wake up in cold sweats lol
Thanks for this post!
I have the same dream except not about alcohol -- instead that I am hanging out with my 30+ years-ago ex, and I suddenly realize I spent the night with him, and my husband doesn't know where I am, and I must have cheated... "how can I explain this to him"... It is an *awful* dream, and I still have it about once a year after thirty years! It was hard to shake it off, and easier now, like you said.
Oh my GOD what a terrible dream! I’m so glad that’s all it is. And congrats on 30+ (!!!) years!
Thank you for the empathy, and I love that you found a bright side in the 30 years that I don't want to jeopardize. (My husband and I met 30 years ago as of just a few days ago, fun to remember that.)
happy (belated) meeting anniversary!
First, thanks for sharing this.
I find no difference in my before or after dreams; same weird shit both cases, but no using!
And you delivered the clearest description of them to my mind. Thanks again!
My limited data (!) in groups agrees.
I've had these dreams periodically. Usually I'm in a situation where being drunk isn't appropriate: I'm in a store, and I'm knocking things over or falling down. And I can feel the judgement and the people around are very open about it. "Look at her" or "Can you please leave"...
ugh the sloppiness and the judgement! Those are always two things that always come through loud and clear
My drinking dreams rarely occur anymore (19 months), but it would be the same one on repeat between months 3-9.
I’d be visiting old college friends or high school friends and we’d be in a circle standing outside. Someone would be holding a bottle or two of wine and I, in my socially anxious state, insecure of being sober around these drinkers, would say something like “oh, I’ve been so good, I can have a glass.” And then I’d drink the bottle.
It was terrifying—that was the line I used to say before I committed to sobriety. I’d go a few weeks without a drink and then I’d be with people, perhaps slightly socially anxious, and decided I “deserved” a drink which led to multiple which led to fights or embarrassing flirtations or nasty hangovers etc.
the beauty of these dreams, though, is how relieved you feel when you wake up. How you re-remember how important your sobriety is to you. And how fragile too. It’s a nudge from your subconscious to protect this gift fiercely.
It's definitely one of the nicest (and meanest) things my brain does. Congratulations on 19 months!