Dreams

Dreams are experiences during sleep that can feel real after waking. Substance use, withdrawal and distress can affect dreaming, but a dream does not diagnose a condition or predict recovery.

Dreams can contain images, sensations, thoughts and emotions. Some are vivid stories; others are brief or difficult to remember. Dreams can occur in both rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep and non-REM sleep. Remembering more dreams does not by itself show that someone is having more REM sleep.

Alcohol, cannabis and stimulants can affect sleep. Some people report vivid or disturbing dreams when their use changes or stops, but effects differ between substances and people. There is no reliable timetable that tells an individual when these dreams will start or finish.

A dream about drinking or using a drug is an experience during sleep, not an act of substance use. Its content alone does not establish a wish to use, an approaching relapse or a healing brain. Repeated nightmares that affect sleep or everyday life are a reason to speak with a health professional.

Sudden confusion needs immediate medical help. Urgent help is especially important if someone cannot be woken, is breathing abnormally, has a seizure, becomes severely confused or delirious, or shows other signs of major deterioration. Someone who may be physically dependent on alcohol should seek medical advice before abruptly stopping or sharply reducing drinking.

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