A Significant Area of Research on Relapse Prevention in Addiction Treatment: Drug-Related Dreams
A Significant Area of Research on Relapse Prevention in Addiction Treatment: Drug-Related Dreams

Summary/Abstract: To the Editor, The DSM-5 notes that experiencing "unpleasant dreams involving substance use" is a symptom that may manifest during the withdrawal from psychomotor stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine (APA 2013). Drug-related dreams (DDs) are described as dreams featuring drug-related themes, which occur among individuals dependent on drugs during their withdrawal or recovery phases (Reid and Simeon 2001, Tanguay et al. 2015). In DDs, themes may include searching for the substance, trying to use it, seeing it but not using it or being unable to use it, declining the substance when offered, or observing others using it (Reid and Simeon 2001, Colace 2004, Tanguay et al. 2015, Colace 2018). These dreams are commonly reported within the first week of abstaining from substance use, but they can persist for weeks, months, or even years after stopping the use of the substance. However, it has been observed that as the duration of treatment extends and recovery progresses, there is a decline in the frequency of these dreams (Colace 2004, 2018).

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