Review of Substance-Related Dreams through Typical Dreams

Abstract

Drug-related dreams are defined as dreams experienced by individuals with a substance use disorder during the withdrawal or recovery process. Studies indicate that authors interpret all drug-related dreams as reflections of the attempts by individuals with addiction to fulfill their drug use desires at varying levels of satisfaction. The absence of an explanation in the literature regarding the manner and rationale behind the fulfilment of drug cravings by drug-related dreams (Type A or Type B) to varying degrees (sufficiently or insufficiently) indicates that the gratification derived from such dreams – presumed to alleviate the desire for drug use – has been inferred from prognostic findings and presumptions concerning patients’ periods of abstinence. It is noteworthy that there is a similarity between dreams experienced by individuals with substance use disorders who wish to use the substance but are unable to do so for various reasons and failure-related examination dreams. Instead of a hypothesis that drug-related dreams with different content and emotions provide varying levels of satisfaction, examining them through the lens of the censorship mechanism in dreams may reveal that these types of dreams attempt to fulfill distinct desires. The objective of the current paper is to analyse substance-related dreams and typical dreams, including those related to examinations, in light of neuroscientific evidence and interpretations. In particular, the focus will be on Freud's views on the censorship mechanism in dreams, as well as the theoretical perspectives of Jung and Kohut.