Help from the Unconscious
After working with dreams for over thirty-five years, I am convinced that all dreams come in the service of health and wholeness. Even recurring nightmares aim to help the dreamer move forward consciously toward well-being. If a dream is remembered, it indicates an important role for the dreamer’s waking mind in addressing the issues and possibilities the dream presents.
Jeremy Taylor, an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, explores this in his book The Wisdom of Your Dreams.
Dreams as a Reflection of Recovery
Dreams function like breathing or a heartbeat—they are fundamental, even for addicts in recovery. Dreams often carry symbolic meanings even when they appear to replicate real-life experiences. One common dream among individuals in long-term recovery involves relapsing into addiction. A dreamer might wake up feeling relieved only after realizing they’re not experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Such dreams often arise when recovery is solid but the dreamer risks forgetting the severity of their past addiction. Forgetting can lead to a loss of conscious awareness of the extraordinary effort it took to overcome addiction. These dreams serve as reminders of the vulnerability to relapse, even after years of sobriety.
Suicide Dreams in Early Recovery
Another common dream pattern in early recovery involves themes of suicide. Symbolically, death—particularly by suicide—can represent profound personal growth. In recovery, the only part of the self that can truly end addictive behavior is the addict persona itself. This symbolic “death” marks the turning point where the addict-self relinquishes control.
Misinterpreting this dream literally can be dangerous. Depression may cause recovering addicts to mistake the dream’s symbolic nature for a call to harm themselves. However, this dream often indicates that the effort to overcome addiction is succeeding. Jungian therapist Robert Johnson once advised following the message of dreams metaphorically—when dreams suggest killing oneself, the call is to eliminate destructive patterns, not harm the body.
The Symbolic Guidance of Dreams
All dreams, including those during active addiction, offer symbolic clues about the unconscious forces driving addictive behavior. Dreams remembered in recovery also hint at the best ways to address those patterns. Every dream presents an opportunity for the dreamer’s conscious mind to engage with the deeper issues shaping their life.
Universal Addiction and the Role of Dreams
It is important to note that addiction extends beyond substances. Everyone faces repetitive behaviors that can feel uncontrollable. Dreams can unravel hidden motivations and illuminate paths to freedom.
Willing Ways emphasizes that understanding the unconscious through dreams can be a powerful tool for long term recovery. Recognizing the messages from dreams can foster self-awareness and strengthen the journey to health and wholeness.