Case Report

A Dream Reflecting the Desire to Avoid Substance Use: A Case Study on Unconscious Self-Prevention Effort

Volume: 26 Number: 3 September 30, 2025
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A Dream Reflecting the Desire to Avoid Substance Use: A Case Study on Unconscious Self-Prevention Effort

Abstract

Drug-Related Dreams (DRD) are dreams observed in individuals with substance use disorders during withdrawal or recovery periods, containing various substance-related themes. It is known that DRD may include themes such as searching for drugs, attempting to use them, seeing substances but not using or being unable to use them, rejecting an offer to use substances, or witnessing someone else using them. It is thought that when DRD are satisfying in terms of content and emotions (Type A, drug-use dreams), they can help alleviate and manage cravings, leading to a positive prognosis. On the other hand, if these dreams are not satisfying (Type B, failed drug-use attempts), they are believed to reignite and intensify the craving for substances. Instead of assuming that DRD with different content and emotions provide varying levels of satisfaction, analyzing these dreams through the lens of the censorship mechanism may reveal that they aim to satisfy distinct desires. In this paper, the dream and clinical course of a patient who experienced a drug-related dream during inpatient treatment at our clinic, was discharged voluntarily, and later relapsed into substance use, are discussed. When the patient reapplied for inpatient treatment after resuming substance use and was found carrying drugs, their admission could not be processed. The case is examined through the censorship mechanism in dreams. Although the patient was aware of our clinical rules, we interpreted their behavior of seeking admission to our clinic while under the influence of substances not as forgetfulness or an attempt to smuggle substances, but as an unconscious cry for help to overcome their desire to use substances.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Bu yazı için yazarlar arasında çıkar çatışması bulunmamaktadır. Olgu sunumu olduğu için etik kurul onayı alınması gerekmemektedir.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Subtance Abuse

Journal Section

Case Report

Publication Date

September 30, 2025

Submission Date

December 14, 2024

Acceptance Date

February 25, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 26 Number: 3

APA
Danışman, M., Zengin İspir, G., & Sezer Katar, K. (2025). A Dream Reflecting the Desire to Avoid Substance Use: A Case Study on Unconscious Self-Prevention Effort. Bağımlılık Dergisi, 26(3), 347-351. https://doi.org/10.51982/bagimli.1601425
AMA
1.Danışman M, Zengin İspir G, Sezer Katar K. A Dream Reflecting the Desire to Avoid Substance Use: A Case Study on Unconscious Self-Prevention Effort. Bağımlılık Dergisi. 2025;26(3):347-351. doi:10.51982/bagimli.1601425
Chicago
Danışman, Mustafa, Gamze Zengin İspir, and Kübra Sezer Katar. 2025. “A Dream Reflecting the Desire to Avoid Substance Use: A Case Study on Unconscious Self-Prevention Effort”. Bağımlılık Dergisi 26 (3): 347-51. https://doi.org/10.51982/bagimli.1601425.
EndNote
Danışman M, Zengin İspir G, Sezer Katar K (September 1, 2025) A Dream Reflecting the Desire to Avoid Substance Use: A Case Study on Unconscious Self-Prevention Effort. Bağımlılık Dergisi 26 3 347–351.
IEEE
[1]M. Danışman, G. Zengin İspir, and K. Sezer Katar, “A Dream Reflecting the Desire to Avoid Substance Use: A Case Study on Unconscious Self-Prevention Effort”, Bağımlılık Dergisi, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 347–351, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.51982/bagimli.1601425.
ISNAD
Danışman, Mustafa - Zengin İspir, Gamze - Sezer Katar, Kübra. “A Dream Reflecting the Desire to Avoid Substance Use: A Case Study on Unconscious Self-Prevention Effort”. Bağımlılık Dergisi 26/3 (September 1, 2025): 347-351. https://doi.org/10.51982/bagimli.1601425.
JAMA
1.Danışman M, Zengin İspir G, Sezer Katar K. A Dream Reflecting the Desire to Avoid Substance Use: A Case Study on Unconscious Self-Prevention Effort. Bağımlılık Dergisi. 2025;26:347–351.
MLA
Danışman, Mustafa, et al. “A Dream Reflecting the Desire to Avoid Substance Use: A Case Study on Unconscious Self-Prevention Effort”. Bağımlılık Dergisi, vol. 26, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 347-51, doi:10.51982/bagimli.1601425.
Vancouver
1.Mustafa Danışman, Gamze Zengin İspir, Kübra Sezer Katar. A Dream Reflecting the Desire to Avoid Substance Use: A Case Study on Unconscious Self-Prevention Effort. Bağımlılık Dergisi. 2025 Sep. 1;26(3):347-51. doi:10.51982/bagimli.1601425