Originally Posted by
catlovermi 
Wywriter,
These symptoms appear characteristically on waking, due to the fall in the blood alcohol concentration during sleep.
(Above from wikipedia "alcohol withdrawal syndrome")
Oooh, this bit I didn't know -- that would explain why it often seems like he woke up slower than his body from odd dreams. I used to sleepwalk and speak very clearly (sometimes with my eyes open) while I was asleep, and before I really understood alcohol withdrawal I thought maybe he had some of the same issues. Now I know better and I've stopped trying to figure out where the heck that came from :P.