Photo of addiction peer coach Rachel Herlyn

How to handle dreams about alcohol

Meet Rachel
Rachel started at Face It TOGETHER as a client and now coaches a range of people, including loved ones and those who have addiction. She's experienced in trauma, anxiety and other mental health issues.

Q: I’ve been having dreams about drinking. Is this normal?

A: Yes, definitely. I get this question from about 75 percent of my coaching clients.

When you wake up, be sure to get yourself grounded. Keep telling yourself it’s just a dream and focus on your surroundings.

It’s really important for you to stay tuned into your awareness of what else is going on around this time. Dreams could be a sign you’re dealing with increased stress or other triggers, which could leave you vulnerable to a relapse, or recurrence of symptoms. Be sure to work through whatever may be going on and use the tools you’ve learned since starting your wellness journey.

I started having dreams about alcohol about two years into my recovery, which really surprised me. I was working through some trauma at the time, but because I stayed mindful, I was able to work through it.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to confide in a trusted friend. Sometimes it helps to process dreams like this with someone else – they’re nothing to hide or be ashamed of. Talking through them can help remove some of the mystery and put things in perspective.


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