Alchohol and Drugs

Alcohol and drugs often appear in dreams if the dreamer has issues with addiction, and in such cases, they may have a literal meaning. If, on the contrary, there is reason to believe that the substance or state has a symbolic meaning, it may refer to some form of escape from reality. Characteristic of alcoholism is that it is an "abandonment syndrome," where one feels lonely for some real or imagined reason.

Water of life (firewater)

Symbolically, alcohol is seen as a synthesis of fire and water, a union of opposites. Spirits were called "firewater" by Native Americans; but in Europe as well, brandy was referred to as eau-de-feu. Not only does alcohol burn the tongue, but it is also experienced as warming in the stomach or even the heart. Both brandy and whiskey have been called, or even mean, "water of life." This association appears in dreams.

Inflation

Someone who is drunk feels somewhat deified – they are "full of spiritus," which means both spirit and alcohol. Symbolically, this can be interpreted as a state of inflation in dreams.

Inhibition and persona

Characteristic of parties and drugs is the release of inhibitions. For a dreamer who is particularly concerned with appearances, is rather stiff, limits themselves, and does not dare to "let loose," the symbol may express the necessity of loosening this attitude.

Transcendence

Since alcoholic beverages (and drugs) alter the state of consciousness, they have always been associated with gods and transcendence, but also with ecstasy and creativity. Dionysus is perhaps the foremost image of this, but Odin as well, the god of poetry, shamanism, and ecstasy in Norse mythology, never ate but only drank wine.

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