I remember in my shorter stints of sobriety in the past, I would have constant dreams at night that I was using. Or desperately trying to and not being able to for some reason. I’d wake up from those dreams with horrible cravings and feeling like my mind was torturing me. However, I’ve mentioned before in here that those previous short stretches of sobriety were just because of circumstance and not because I wanted it.This time is obviously very different. I’ve been sober longer and did it because I desperately wanted it for myself.This time in the beginning, I expected those dreams to come, but they didn’t. I began to hope that maybe since my mindset was different this time, maybe the dreams wouldn’t come at all. Now I’m five months sober, and the dreams have started. At first, it was nightmares that I was in withdrawal. I’d wake up and think “thank god, that wasn’t real and I’m sober and okay.” Now the nightmares have started to evolve. They’re starting to turn into dreams that I’m using again, and I still wake up with that “thank god I’m sober” feeling, but lately that’s also been accompanied by a slight feeling of craving. My logical brain knows I never want to use again, so why isn’t my subconscious brain getting the memo?? I haven’t been experiencing cravings any other time except for when this happens, and it’s starting to bother me. Does anyone else experience this? If so, how do you deal with it? I felt it was important for me to talk about it and try to process it rather than just let it fester in my head. Any advice is welcome 
thanks if you read this!
Hey , I’m on day 12 of being sober and clean from coke which is early days I know , but I have also experienced the dreams of using but waking up panicked and thanking god it’s a dream and I’m still sober
Although I can’t offer much advice , reading your story and others has made me realise it’s something that happens for a lot of people to have these dreams in recovery .i didn’t know it was so common , I’m glad you brought this to the table and have been open about it .
You have given me some peace of mind that I’m not the only one so thank you for sharing
Hope you’re ok 
x
Hi there!! Those using dreams are very common, especially in early sobriety. I know for myself anyway, when i am particularly stressed or emotional that day, its almost guarenteed that Ill get some sort of a using dream. I think bcuz we as addicts have used often times to cope with emotion… our brains are still in that sort of mindset that this is how i relieve stress (hence the dreams). Over time they do lessen. I rarely get them now at over 4 years clean and sober. They can be unsettling for sure.
Awww, thank you so much! You’re absolutely not alone. And congratulations on 12 (now 13!!) days!!! It gets better with every day that passes 
thank you for caring! I’m fine, the dreams have just been bothering me slightly. But I’ll get through it just fine
That actually makes a lot of sense, I hadn’t thought of that! When I have a really good, low stress day, I almost never have those dreams. That actually brings me some peace of mind knowing the likely cause of why they’re happening. Thank you 
That actually sounds super common in recovery. A lot of people get those “using dreams” months in, not right away. It doesn’t mean you want to go back, it’s more like your brain is processing old habits and stress. The fact you wake up relieved you’re sober is honestly a really good sign.
I got those more frequently within the first 6 months I’d say and the first time I tried getting sober which was a short lived weak attempt of mine. It’s normal. I get one every so often now, but not much. Actually I think the last one I got about drinking I actually refused the alcohol in my dream which is kinda cool lol. Anyway just let yourself process it when you wake up and remind yourself that it’s just a dream. Also I know this might be tough, but try to not get upset about the dream and let that take your mind to places you don’t want to be. Gives the negative feelings more powerful. Talking to another person about it who understands and writing it down also helps. Remember it’s never a reflection of your actual sobriety or desires too
For me, I had a hell of a time with dreams when I got off of Benzos. For 3-4mos probably, I was often awake in the middle of the night struggling with deep craving. I never woke feeling lucky to be off the stuff, just desperate to get back to it. For me, the dreams sharply dropped off. I had 1 week of them a couple years ago, following a visit to the dentist where they numbed me with a shot of something in the roof of my mouth, that made my whole face (nose to eyebrows) totally numb. It brought me right back to days of benzos and heavy drinking too… messed me up for awhile. Now, I am anxious as heck to go to the dentist and never know if I should say anything or not.
Anywho, idk if they go away forever but I do think they decline. And, sometimes they can just fall right off quite suddenly. Congrats on your sobriety!!
Normal. Very normal. Your subconscious is processing old memories, not betraying you. The relief you feel waking up is the real you. Cravings after the dream pass fast. Say out loud “that was a dream, I am sober.” Then get up and do something small. The dreams will fade. Five months is huge. You are fine. Keep going.
This is great advice, thank you! That’s actually so amazing that in your dream you’re refusing the alcohol now. That means even your subconscious is caught up fully with your healthier habits. I used to have recurring nightmares of getting bullied at old jobs I had and in the dream I’d be so stressed and upset. Since working on boundaries irl, I’ve started standing up for myself in my dreams too and that felt incredible. I know I’ll get there someday with my using dreams too 
I would absolutely say something if it bothered you that much! If it’s going to risk your sobriety in any way, 100% speak up and stand up for yourself. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for the advice and encouragement! talking myself through it both alone and with you guys has helped a lot.
I’ve been sober almost 6 years. I used to have more than now, but I still dream I am drinking. Could be a party or a bar. Doesn’t matter. But as I start to wake up, I am saying I don’t drink to the people in the dream. I look on it as a positive because even when I am asleep, my mind knows I am sober.
Yeah wasn’t that way at first. I would drink in the dreams and be terrified when I woke up until I realized it was just a dream. Early on it’s gonna be like that for a lot of people though and even if you’re years sober and you drink in a dream still doesn’t mean you will in real life. Glad your boundaries are helping also. Boundaries are a tough one for me, but I’ve gotten better with them thanks to therapy. Hope you don’t have many more nightmares or bad using dreams, but if you do it’s ok and just do your best to move on
Using dreams use to bother me. A mentor told me is a free pass without paying any real consequences. It took their power away.