Drinking Alcohol in a Dream

Looking at the Meaning of Drinking Dreams in Sobriety

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Vivid dreams are a real concern for anyone who struggles with their sobriety, no matter how far out they are from that last drink. Some people believe that drinking alcohol in a dream portends relapse and a return to the bottle that they worked so hard to kick.

But what do these dreams of consuming alcohol mean for your real life?

Drunk dreams often signal that your body is craving alcohol again. They serve as a symbolic outlet for those cravings, even if they don’t appear to surface in your day-to-day life. It might also indicate that you need to deal with the aftermath of drinking including feelings of guilt or shame. PTSD could also contribute to these nightmares.

Purpose Healing Center is here to help you through the early days of your sobriety, and we offer the long-term support necessary to kick the habit. Keep reading to learn more about what drinking liquor in your dreams means and what you can do about it.

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What Does It Mean to Have Alcoholic Drinks in Your Dreams?

Just because you are now sober, it doesn’t mean that you have conquered the pull of booze altogether. If you have dreams where you drink alcohol in recovery, your sobriety hasn’t failed you yet — and it doesn’t have to. It just means that your body is processing something from your waking life.

Here are a few meanings behind drunk dreams to put your mind at ease.

Drinking Beer or Wine Could Indicate Cravings

One of the most common meanings of consuming alcohol in your dreams is that your body is trying to find a way to process the cravings that surface for you. It’s perfectly normal for your body to want to turn back to drinking as a way to cope with difficult situations.

If your body remembers what it feels like when you consume alcohol, it might surface in your dream life. It takes time for the body to adjust to a life without the chemical makeup of alcohol. Even if you aren’t aware of your cravings in your day-to-day life, dreams can put them at the forefront.

Keep in mind that as you get further into sobriety, these dreams may begin to fade.

Dealing with Guilt and Shame Following Drinking

In some instances, the dream might not be focused on drinking alcohol exactly, or it may be what are often referred to as drug dreams. In both cases, the subconscious takes on the life of what happens in the aftermath of drinking. Such dreams are usually indicative of your brain trying to process the guilt, shame, and other feelings that surface in recovery once you no longer drink.

This might be a sign that you have more to work on in therapy, both individually and with the people you care about greatly. There is something that needs to be dealt with head-on, and such a dream suggests that your relationships are still rocky and healing.

It might be time to get into therapy with your family members or close loved ones to make amends, whether formally as in the AA process, or informally in accepting accountability. On the other hand, if you are dreaming of meeting attendance, or even of the iconic circle and triangle symbol itself, it likely means that AA and the working of program is playing heavily in your subconscious and supporting your sobriety!

Struggling to Forgive Yourself in Your Waking Hours

Most people who enter into sobriety know that they have done things they aren’t proud of while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. When alcohol appears in your dreams, it might mean that you have something major to work through and an old hang-up that you haven’t yet forgiven yourself for.

This is a more spiritual meaning than some of the other options listed here. It’s a sign that you still have more work to do, even if your alcohol consumption has ceased. Bring the drunk dreams you experience into your counseling sessions so that you can tease out what still bothers you following days or years of substance misuse.

Possible Warning Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Another potential dream meaning is that you are processing something going on in real life that has had a significant impact on you. Post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder are commonly linked to one another.

One of the symptoms of PTSD and other forms of trauma disorders is recurring nightmares which can also focus on behavior from the past.

Excessive drinking can be at the root of traumatic events. Maybe you had too much to drink and it put you into a dangerous situation. If so, you may relive the experience of drinking as it relates to that event until you can process and cope with the aftermath of what happened.

In other words, you’ll relive all of that trauma through your dreams.

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How to Handle Drinking White Wine and Other Alcohol in Your Dream World

Unfortunately, one of the issues with dreaming of drinking is that it can trigger an increase in cravings. After having the sensation of drinking alcohol in a dream, you may wake up with the feeling that you absolutely need to have a drink.

This can lead to a dangerous crossroads with the temptation to relapse, where you will have to recommit to your sobriety all over again.

Here are some ways you can handle the phenomenon of drunk dreams without turning to booze.

Seek Help from a 12-Step Meeting

The first and easiest thing you can do to prevent yourself from drinking alcohol is to attend a 12-step meeting. Chances are that you can find one close to you on any day of the week. These meetings are great places to share what you are going through, what it feels like to have cravings, and to be held accountable for your sobriety.

This is also a great place to seek spiritual nourishment as there is a heavy spiritual component to the 12-step meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous. And many members will also be familiar with dreams based on drinking or drug use.

You may choose to connect with a sponsor or fellow group members outside of the scheduled meeting times if you’re having a particularly rough time and fear that you may relapse soon.

Schedule a Therapy Session

If you don’t already have a therapy session on the books with an experienced addiction counselor, this is the time to set one up. Drinking dreams often portend impending relapse because you experience the sensation of drinking all over again. As your body remembers, it’s difficult to stick with sobriety.

A therapist can help you review all of the reasons why you choose to live a sober lifestyle. Alcohol represents an old coping skill — nothing more and nothing less. You don’t have to give into substance use just because a dream suggests that you should.

A counselor can help you cope with cravings and the guilt and shame that often accompany alcohol use disorder.

Remember Why You’re Sober Now

Just because you were drinking liquor in a dream doesn’t mean that you have to give in to temptation. The important thing here and now is to remember why you have chosen sobriety. Keep a running list in your journal of reasons why your life is better now without white or red wine, liquor, beer, or booze of any kind.

Vivid dreams during cannabis withdrawal can also occur, and remembering your motivation rather than relapsing and succumbing to the urge for dreamless sleep is essential.

You can list things like experiences you have now that you didn’t before, feelings you no longer have like guilt, and improvements in your quality of life. Nothing is too small to write down. Then, when you have a dream from your subconscious mind, you can turn back to this list and remember why you gave it up.

You worked hard to achieve your sobriety, and you don’t want to throw it away and have to assess a relapse just because of a dream. While it may have symbolic meaning, that doesn’t mean that your near future has to include drinking red wine, sparkling wine, or anything else.

Start Spending Quality Time with Loved Ones

One of the best things you can do when your dreams are telling you to drink again is surround yourself with people who love and support you. Being alone in your home doesn’t hold you accountable for your sobriety, and you may find it easier to give in to temptation.

Reach out to a loved one who understands your dilemma and spend some time with them. Not being alone can help you to hold yourself accountable, give you an outlet for your own emotions, and provide the support necessary to maintain sober living.

Keep in mind that your support system shouldn’t be a substitute for therapy and professional help for drinking alcohol in a dream. It’s merely a coping skill that can distract you and support you from what happened in your REM sleep.

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Seek Help from a Qualified Team at Purpose Healing Center

What does it mean to dream about drinking when you’re sober? The good news is that it doesn’t have to mean anything. If you seek the support you need right away, you can curb cravings and cope with any of the feelings that are leading to those cravings.

Purpose Healing Center is here to help when you need intervention to stay sober.

We can help you with every level of care from residential to intensive outpatient, guiding you to the perfect solution for your healing. Our warm and welcoming enrollment team is available to answer questions and verify your insurance benefits in a quick and confidential call.

Reach out to us today to learn more about our comprehensive treatment plans!