I am a recovering alcoholic, I have dreams where I am drinking and wake up feeling hungover, is this normal?

Question by Jenny Hall: I am a recovering alcoholic, I have dreams where I am drinking and wake up feeling hungover, is this normal?
I have been sober now for 3 and a half weeks, in the last two weeks (since I have been out of inpatient treatment and off meds to help with withdrawal) I have started to experience very vivid dreams and I wake up with the PHYSICAL effects of a hangover such as nausea, headaches, dehydration etc…

I was just wondering if this is common?

Best answer:

Answer by island3girl
yes it is common. Your mind does not know the difference between reality and a dream so that’s why you are waking up feeling hung over

it will subside – just keep at your treatment

good luck

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This entry was posted on Sunday, February 12th, 2012 at 11:01 pm and is filed under ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

6 Responses to “I am a recovering alcoholic, I have dreams where I am drinking and wake up feeling hungover, is this normal?”

  1. papyrusbtl Says:

    Typically the effects of alcoholism take about a YEAR to wear off (usually extreme fatigue).

    Get to your Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and talk about it—those are the experts. It’s also covered in the “Big Book” (ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS).
    Good luck with your sober life, get to meetings, and remember your slogans.

  2. killiolm Says:

    Yes it is normal, sorry that you have to go through this. I was a drug addict so my symptoms were different but related to the drug of addiction. Dont give up be strong and you WILL make it beyond this.

  3. kimber911oo Says:

    probably normal. i quit meth a couple of years ago and i still dream about it- i can actually taste it and smell it and feel the effect and i wake up jittery. just be cool, it’ll get better. sober life is so much more gratifying. drugs and alcohol just ruin peoples lives.

  4. Mona Lisa Says:

    Definitely, very common. This happened to me for nearly a year after I quit drinking. I think there’s a name for this (and other common after-effects): post-acute withdrawal syndrome.

    It really does get easier, much easier, with time.

  5. Marcus B Says:

    I commend you on wanting to change your life.
    I call the dreams a free be I’m not using and I’m not in jail
    I still have them after 2years just not as bad
    Alcohol is a drug are body still craves it.
    I keep water a round the house all the time dehydration is normal
    keep a bottle by your bed that will help you when you wake up. take vitamins that helps a lot. When your not sure about how you feel and whats going on with your body mentally and physically call your sponsor they are here to help get us though
    this. I’m not one for asking for help but my sponsor saved my life. I wish you a long and healthy life. keep up the good work

  6. mo_pulgosa Says:

    Speaking as a sober alcoholic, ANYTHING is possible when you’re first sobering up. I used to puke, shake, hear things, and dream about “just one more drink”. I don’ t like to be preachy, but the only reason I’m still sober is a very close relationship with God.
    Luck and PRAYERS for your swift recovery!