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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2024, 26, 61

Evaluating Substance-Related Dreams and Their Impact on The Treatment Process Through the Mechanism of Censorship in Dreams. A Pilot Study

Mustafa Danisman, Claudio Colace, Safak Yalcin Sahiner, and Hakki Polat

Digital Object Identifier:
https://doi.org/10.62401/2531-4122-2024-61

Summary: Introduction: Drug-related dreams (DRD) are classified in the literature as Type A and Type B dreams. Type A dreams involve individuals using drugs in their dreams and deriving pleasure from the experience, only to wake up feeling guilt, regret, or relief that no drugs were used. In Type B dreams, attempts to use drugs are unsuccessful, leading individuals to wake up feeling anger or frustration upon realising that they did not use drugs in reality. Objective: Type A drug-related dreams suggest a better prognosis due to higher satisfaction with substance use desires, whereas Type B dreams indicate a poorer prognosis due to insufficient satisfaction. Examining DRD via dream censorship may reveal how these dreams aim to fulfil specific desires rather than merely varying satisfaction levels. Methods: A substance craving scale, BAPI-Screening form, and a 10-item dream questionnaire were applied to 15 individuals admitted for inpatient treatment with methamphetamine use disorder. Results: In our study, no relationship was found between dream content and discharge duration, but there was a relationship between the emotions during and after the dreams and discharge status. Patients who reported increased substance craving after drug-related dreams had shorter hospital stays than those who did not. Discussion and conclusion: Some DRDs cannot be generalised as Type A or B due to inconsistencies between dream content and emotions. When individuals decide to stop using drugs and begin treatment, their drug cravings may be rejected to varying degrees. For those with lower conscious awareness of their cravings, these desires may be satisfied through uncensored, infantile dreams. In clinical settings where drug access is impossible, heightened conscious cravings may trigger suppressed abstinence desires, achieving satisfaction through dream censorship mechanisms. DRD can provide insights into patients’ drug use desires, treatment progression, and potential relapses.

Keywords: Drug related dreams; methamphetamine; censorship