DaveVelasco

Is lack of sleep connected to being or becoming depressed? I was, for the first time in my life since I stopped drinking alcohol, thinking to drink just one bottle last night just to forget what I feel.

NYCDoglvr

I had insomnia for years after getting sober. It turned out it was a side-effect of a medication (anti-depressant) I was taking. Changed meds and I had no problem.
This will sound silly but it helped to read the stories at the end of the big book. Fell asleep very quickly

Live

Not getting adequate sleep is hard on a person in so very many ways, mentally, emotionally, physically.
It stretches coping mechanisms to their very limit.
I really do consider it a health hazard.
Admittedly I am super sensitive to this due to bipolar, so it hits me double whammy hard, but I think almost every study backs up what I am saying.
There are many many tips to contributing to a better nights sleep available on the web. Be aware of when you eat and when you excercise, no tv or even lit computer screens in the bedroom, sleeping temperatures are better if cooler, warm baths, keeping a regular sleep schedule, avoidng stimulation for an hour before bedtime...many many things that all add up to some great help in this area. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline...but the reward of sleeping well and the the pure joy of waking refreshed is precious.

ClayTheScribe

Many of us alcoholics got very accustomed to using alcohol to treat our insomnia that when we get sober, we don't know what to do. Often though that was passing out vs. falling asleep. The depression was always there underneath your alcohol abuse; now that you're sober, you feel that depression full force. The depression can cause insomnia, which causes lack of sleep, which makes your depression worse. It's a vicious cycle. I had to start taking sleep medicine and found Seroquel 50 mg works pretty well with minimal side effects. I had already been treated for depression but it wasn't doing much by pouring alcohol onto the pills. Find out what works for you, whether it be seeing a psychiatrist and/or a therapist, AA, other recovery program, but have something. I often use Traditional Medicinal Nighty Night tea and chamomile tea as well to help calm my mind. Meditation also helps greatly. It also has helped me to get on a regular schedule, going to bed at approximately the same time every day and turning off the computer a while before I go to bed (I'm working on that still haha).

But just know dealing with these feelings is a normal part of recovery, in fact it is the essence of recovery. Be conscious of the addictive mind trying to manipulate you ("Can't sleep huh? Well you could have a drink and take care of that"). It wants nothing other than your self-destruction. Keep on top of that part of your mind and you have a great chance of staying sober and healthy. Some of this insomnia may simply be a result of your body getting used to not having alcohol in your system all the time. Give it time and be patient.