How long does this last?

[jhvw2000]

I've been sober almost 10 months after 7 years of very heavy drinking. I went through a horrible 10 day medical detox, DT's, seizure (while on ativan), and then 30 day residental treatment. The entire time I never slept more than 2 or 3 hours a night, and after detox we weren't able to even take naps during the day because we were always in classes.

Anyway, It's been hard since January, and I still haven't got my sleep or appetite back yet. It hasn't even really improved at all. I am usually awake for 24-48 hours straight, then sleep for 6-8 hours, then I'm awake for another 24-48. It's been taking a major physical toll. I went to see my dr. while I was still employed and he gave me trazadone. It didn't phase me. Then I lost my insurance and can't even afford to see a dr., let alone fill a prescription.

Something I remember from recovery is HALT. Hurt, angry, lonely, and tired. I still struggle to not drink every day but each day my resolve becomes stronger. I know taking a drink will not help me only make things much worse.

I'm just, well, exhausted, all the time. All my other withdrawl symptoms are gone but this one. How long until my brain goes back to normal? Has anybody gone through this and have any advice to offer?

I've tried routines, herbal teas, melatonin, relaxation exercises... I don't know what to do.

[Done_With_It]

My problem was not alcohol, but I did have a really hard time getting myself back to normal from meth. I honestly did not think I would ever be back to normal, but it did happen eventually.
Have you read about PAWS? Not sure if any of that fits you.

Hopefully someone will be around soon with some experience for you.

Welcome to SR!! Glad you are here.

[CarolD]

Hello...

Here is the information about PAWS Done mentioned..

Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center

Here is a link for sleeping tips..

Insomnia? 41 Simple Tips to Help You Get to Sleep - Insomnia treatment, cures

Congratulations on your sober time
especially when dealing with this issue

[soidog]

Wow that IS a long time. It took me a while to get into a "normal" sleeping cycle after years and years of drinking (one of the main reasons I drank was to get to sleep and I had become dependent) but it eventually happened. All from time to time insomnia still hits me, I'd say that a good 5 days of the week I am able to sleep a decent 6-7 hours or even more a night.

Have you tried physical exercise in the morning or day?

[madriley]

Hi JHVW, I am so sorry to hear that you are still having such problems sleeping. I have only been suffering from it for the last two weeks so I can not even imagine how you must be feeling. You are a very strong person and I hope that you know that. You have gone this long dealing with the stress and fatigue and have not given up, hopefully that will help you sleep better soon.

CarolD- I just wanted to thank you for the two links that you put on here. I have been an addict for years and I never even knew about PAWS. It does help to have some correct info about it so I can figure out the best way for me to handle it. And the Insomnia tips look like they may be helpful. I am going to try a few tonight!
I hope everyone has a great night sleep zzzzzzzzzzz

[Kallista]

That's a long time to have that much sleep disturbance. I had some sleep disturbance until about 18 months sober, but not anything as severe as your describing.

Have you tried a heavy aerobic exercise routine like running or swimming?

[Theresa]

JHVW:

I tried exercise--and before I knew it, I slipped back into drinking. (I think I was only trying to stop drinking.)

These days, I do exercise, every evening, followed by a long shower and good meal.

I can sleep again because I am "good and tired."

Hope I can keep it up and my best wishes to you for getting some needed rest.

[RalphSavage]

Hi there,

I read your post with great interest. You sound like me. I got sober 20 years ago and I remember this first couple years as a rocky time. I did not make it easier on myself--moved from MA to Florida back to MA then in MA moved around 8-10 times as I was always finding things wrong with apartments..and there were pretty wrong things.

Anyhow the body chemistry is not well reported on in the net and the medical literature. It was better twenty years ago when much of the wisdom was like this, anecdotal yet tried and true.

So I'm going through withdrawal on klonopin and antidepressants. It's a wild ride for sleep and for day time anxiety. I try to remember that my early sobriety was about clinging on until meetings at night. I just didn't feel good in my own skin. My brain, even if I do sleep, waits for me once it's 8am. 8am till 6pm sucks.

I guess I would say for myself that I'm trying to avoid caffeine (one bag of tea in the Am or two cups of real green tea). No coffee......no junky food. I'm trying to not use GABA or vitamins as all things feel toxic. I started accupuncture a week ago--a treatment in the ear for sleep and anxiety but I'm skeptical. I'd like to do what your doing in essence, just wait and get hope that my body will catch up and restore. I'm told lots of water, exercise, meditation will help.

I'm also back at meetings (god the recovery world has changed in twenty years) and looking at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy--a very valid way to cope with anxiety but it takes work--like getting a Masters Degree.

Anyhow hope to you and me......we'll just keep working.

Originally Posted by jhvw2000

I've been sober almost 10 months after 7 years of very heavy drinking. I went through a horrible 10 day medical detox, DT's, seizure (while on ativan), and then 30 day residental treatment. The entire time I never slept more than 2 or 3 hours a night, and after detox we weren't able to even take naps during the day because we were always in classes.

Anyway, It's been hard since January, and I still haven't got my sleep or appetite back yet. It hasn't even really improved at all. I am usually awake for 24-48 hours straight, then sleep for 6-8 hours, then I'm awake for another 24-48. It's been taking a major physical toll. I went to see my dr. while I was still employed and he gave me trazadone. It didn't phase me. Then I lost my insurance and can't even afford to see a dr., let alone fill a prescription.

Something I remember from recovery is HALT. Hurt, angry, lonely, and tired. I still struggle to not drink every day but each day my resolve becomes stronger. I know taking a drink will not help me only make things much worse.

I'm just, well, exhausted, all the time. All my other withdrawl symptoms are gone but this one. How long until my brain goes back to normal? Has anybody gone through this and have any advice to offer?

I've tried routines, herbal teas, melatonin, relaxation exercises... I don't know what to do.