Dreams about drinking...

[DOMD]

Has anyone else here experienced dreams about drinking after quitting? Last night I dreamed that I was getting stuck into the beers and woke up wondering if it was real - I actually looked around to make sure there were no empties. Fortunately it was all a dream ;)

Any insight? Thanks fellow warriors!

[Hoots]

Yep I sure did! I was mad at myself when I woke up but was relieved to find it was only a dream!!!

:D
HOots

[Bridgit]

I have awakened in a panic to realize it was just a dream too.

[DOMD]

Nice to know it's not just me then. I think I'm subconsciously worrying about heading to Thailand next weekend, I'm meeting up with friends there and it's going to be near impossible to not drink. I can just imagine the groans and looks of incredulity when I say I've quit. I'm preparing myself for a couple of epic changovers and then rolling back to day one when I get home... *sighs*

[John]

I had a dream where it wasn't just a few, but a drunkfest. But that was a long time ago. They went away pretty quickly for me.

If you talk yourself into drinking in Thailand, it will most definitely happen. Why not come up with some medical excuse that prevents you from drinking 'right now'? It will save you some misery.

For example:

"Dr. asked me to stop for a few months because of some high uric acid readings" (causes gout - not that serious but very painful and preventable if you stop drinking)

[DOMD]

You know what? You're right man. I don't even want to drink, I'm just worried about disappointing the guys. I just gotta suck it up and act like a man. Thanks for the reality check.

[Rich]

I quit right before the holidays. There is always a reason to drink when you first quit, but you have a lot more reasons to not drink

[Tess]

Yup, lots of drinking dreams. Lots.
And John's right y'know. And a medical excuse is something most folks won't argue with

[Lia~~]

Hey!

I think drinking dreams are a good thing-- our brains are rewiring the addictive circuitry (always good to wake up and find out they are dreams, too).

Good for you for listening to John about Thailand. There will ALWAYS be excuses to drink-- and the sooner you make plans for not drinking and stick to them, the stronger you become in your quit. Maybe call or email one of them and give him the heads up that you no longer drink-- medical excuse is a good one or "medications that absolutely do not mix with alcohol-- if you need the name of one-- "Flagyl"-- an antibiotic that can kill you if you drink with it. Commonly prescribed in men for resistant skin infections. I don't think a lie is out of line to protect your quit.

Set yourself up for no hangovers, no guilt-- and a sense of accomplishment. Playing with drinking is playing with a loaded gun for us.

:)

[DOMD]

All valid points, I agree with you guys. It's a bit of an adjustment thinking of social situations (especially ones involving travel) without drinking being involved. It's strange that alcohol should be such a big part of our global culture, especially when it comes to men. My entire social life thus far has been centred around beers with the boys, I never considered having to undertake those same friendships without alcohol being involved.

I've traveled in south east asia before and I know the local laws, haha... never seen the inside of a Thai prison though.

[Hilikus]

I only had dreams about drinking for the first 2 weeks or so after quiting... I woke up a few times with a feeling of guilt like I had been out drinking and I let myself down. They were very real...

They slowly stopped happening as I got further into my quit.

[jm8]

i had one just the other night. it was actually quite positive as i felt it affirmed the truth about booze and my true feelings toward it. in my dream i was about to take a drink but was appalled at the disgusting smell and taste of it. i was gagging in my dreams so intensely that it woke me up and I initially thought I had really been gagging for real. kind of disturbing at first, but it was great to quickly discover that i hadn't been drinking.