Dreams were considered to be central to healing by providing insight into the causes of illness, often before physical symptoms appeared. Dreams continue to be important tools for many traditional healers in the Native American population." (Moss, 1996).
Medical Journal #1.
The first medical use of dreams found was to help alcoholic men recover quicker and to realize they had a problem. This study utilized manifest dream content analysis to explore the intrapsychic dynamics of alcoholic men in early recovery. They had to make two-week dream journals while after they had 3-9 months of total abstinence. It was predicted the users would dream about drinking alcohol and abusing drugs, as well as the transition to sobriety. .
The focal point of the study was the hypothesis that recovering men who used their dreams to express cravings and to work through early sobriety issues were expected to have fewer incidences of relapse at follow up. Independent raters rated the dreams using manifest content scales. Most of the themes included alcohol and drugs, intoxication or sobriety, institutions, and help seeking interactions. Dreams about sobriety reflected ambivalence about recovery, warning signs of relapse, and the implementation of new coping skills. .
Themes of travel, motion, steps, and spirituality indicated that many recovering men were experiencing psychic reorganization and attempting to adapt to sobriety. Nine out of the ten tested maintained continuous sobriety. Based on the preliminary findings of these, studies, structured dream work with the chemically dependant client who volunteers dreams in early recovery may help to identify relapse warning signs that would otherwise go undetected. .
Opinion.
This type of medical use seems to be very effective on people who have substance problems. They are told to note their dreams when they first wake up because that is when you remember the most.
