Does Anyone Else Experience Sleep Issues?

[auntiemame]

Hello to everyone,

My husband was a crack addict for 15 years and an alcoholic for 22 years. He has been in recovery, clean and sober, for 8 months. He is experiencing some random sleep patterns and has been for the last 4 months. He's either up 2 nights straight or sleeping 2 days in a row. He's flustered, discouraged and scared about what this means and whether it will be like this the rest of his life. His doctor says it's just part of recovery but no one else in his AA groups experiences this. Can anyone help us or share what they may know of this problem?

[Ten Chips Down]

It absolutely will not be like this the rest of his life. That's a promise. The doc is right--20 years of hard druggin'/drink takes a lot to recover from. I know all about this. I've 11 years sober from alcohol, but during my early sobriety it was a completely up-ended period that lasted a good little while.

At eight months, he's REALLY off to a good start. But I gotta tell you two, I just got off all tranquilizers recently and those crazy sleeping patterns are just plain ol' part of the territory when it comes to any drugs. (Especially drinking.)

Now sure, it is always possible there could be a secondary sleep disorder. And sure, four months is quite a spell to have spastic sleeping. So there is always the option of seeing a specialist who can diagnose and treat accordingly (preferably without any drugs... of course, right? Hubby, you don't want to go backwards, right? )

Just take heart and be assured that it gets better. Check this (The Promise: Normal will return like an old friend.) out. It's a much shorter period, but trust me--sobriety works itself out!

Tell him congrats on his 8 months, too.

Ten

[SaTiT]

I stay up once for 4 days straight at the 6 months mark.
it didn't have anything to do with wheather i was working
my program or not...just recognition of it, so I didn't trip out.
I also have complusive obsessive personlity disorder.
Most addicts/alki do.

I choose to work the 12 steps to clear my mind and emotional
baggages. I sleep like a baby, now.

[ccgirl]

I think the question is; who here doesn't? lol

Actually theres a whole section devoted to sleep issues and tips on getting a better nights sleep. I just hit the pillow and pray for a decent night, sigh!!

[Ten Chips Down]

Originally Posted by ccgirl

I think the question is; who here doesn't? lol

Yup!

[northbelle]

Not trying to throw a monkey wrench in here but you ought to have bi-polar ruled out...I have a friend who is stays up for days if she does not take her meds..then crashes for days too...I have no idea of course but it would be a shame if he is suffering needlessly...
love north

[ccgirl]

North that's a good point. If it was a one time thing, maybe not, but if it's been a pattern, I'd agree. Trust me, I know.

[Sugah]

I still have some funky nights where I can't sleep, then a stretch of days where it's all I can do to get through the day and come home to nap. It's much, much better than it was, but honestly? I have no idea what my normal sleep rhythm should be. I used for so long that I don't have anything to use as a guide.

Some suggestions that were made to me: go to bed at the same time every night, regardless if you can fall asleep or not and get up at the same time every day, whether you need to or not. Have a "go to sleep" routine of some sort (hot bath, caffeine-free tea, music, read a book, etc.). A woman once told me "no one ever died from lack of sleep." I wasn't so sure she was right at the time, but so long as I'm not doing something half asleep that puts me or anyone else in danger, I have to agree with her.

Most of all...patience. My head fog didn't really clear until I had six months clean & sober. Things do improve, but they take time.

Peace & Love,
Sugah