To sink or swim: the use of dream material in addiction treatment

An individual's dream is a unique production that offers insight into the conversation that occurs between the conscious and unconscious ‘mind’. Dreams are important as they allow insight into the transference, countertransference, dissociated aspects of the self, and the nature of the therapeutic alliance. In the treatment of addicted individuals, psychodynamically oriented addiction specialists have offered techniques and understanding in working with dream material. This paper offers the shared analysis of a dream by a patient in recovery and her therapist The dream's meaning is explored from an interpersonal perspective.