Does the Insomnia Ever Go Away?
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LA, CA
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Does the Insomnia Ever Go Away?
I started drinking heavily about 10 years ago. After a couple years of alcoholism, I started getting really bad insomnia that has persisted ever since. I sleep about 4 or 5 hours a night. I quit about 6 months ago, but I stil can't get enough sleep to function. Does anyone know how long an alcoholic must abstain for before he or she starts to sleep like they did before alcoholism? Has anyone else had experience with the same problem and recovered? Thanks in advance.
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,225
couple years for me. i started excercising i guess that sorta helped but even then I went through a phase where i was getting only 2 or 3 hours of sleep a night and oddly felt great and functioned fine despite the lack of sleep this went on for months too it was very strange.
I also had the added benefit of kids so even nights where finally things where going ok ALAS i'd get screwed becasue one of the kids would have me up for whatever reason.
But finally now years later I seem to do ok now ::knock on wood::
One ODD thing i quit caffine you would think that would help right? Not in my case on mornings where i have a cup of coffee that evening i tend to sleep better.
I also had the added benefit of kids so even nights where finally things where going ok ALAS i'd get screwed becasue one of the kids would have me up for whatever reason.
But finally now years later I seem to do ok now ::knock on wood::
One ODD thing i quit caffine you would think that would help right? Not in my case on mornings where i have a cup of coffee that evening i tend to sleep better.
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
Took me a while too, but there could also be other factors besides quitting. Anxiety, depression, diet, exercise ( or lack of ) and even general habits before bedtime ( not eating too close to sleep time, not watching tv etc ) can all play a part. Getting a general checkup of your health and sharing the issue with a doc can't hurt either.
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 82
Shortly after quitting booze my sleep was hit or miss, I think. . I can fall asleep like a rock and about 5 out of 7 nights/week and sleep about 7 or 8 hours no problem I have also gone from being a night person (my drinking time) to a morning person. It's not even 8:30 pm now and looking forward to calling it a night. Everyone is different though but it got better for me with time.
You can have reasons, or you can have results, but you can't have both.
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 1,232
Right before I quit drinking, my addiction counselor told me to expect about 12-18 months before my neurotransmitters (including wake/sleep) would be functioning normally.
This is one of the reasons I shelled out for the IV amino acid therapy. I was SCARED I wouldn't be able to hold out that long. Fortunately, the therapy worked as promised and I was "cured" of all those problems immediately. Slept like a baby immediately.
Whether you take the fast route or the slow route, rest assured that it does get better.
This is one of the reasons I shelled out for the IV amino acid therapy. I was SCARED I wouldn't be able to hold out that long. Fortunately, the therapy worked as promised and I was "cured" of all those problems immediately. Slept like a baby immediately.
Whether you take the fast route or the slow route, rest assured that it does get better.
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Join Date: Mar 2016
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Originally Posted by zjw 
couple years for me. i started excercising i guess that sorta helped but even then I went through a phase where i was getting only 2 or 3 hours of sleep a night and oddly felt great and functioned fine despite the lack of sleep this went on for months too it was very strange.
I also had the added benefit of kids so even nights where finally things where going ok ALAS i'd get screwed becasue one of the kids would have me up for whatever reason.
But finally now years later I seem to do ok now ::knock on wood::
One ODD thing i quit caffine you would think that would help right? Not in my case on mornings where i have a cup of coffee that evening i tend to sleep better.
I also had the added benefit of kids so even nights where finally things where going ok ALAS i'd get screwed becasue one of the kids would have me up for whatever reason.
But finally now years later I seem to do ok now ::knock on wood::
One ODD thing i quit caffine you would think that would help right? Not in my case on mornings where i have a cup of coffee that evening i tend to sleep better.
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LA, CA
Posts: 23
Originally Posted by soberwolf
it does I still get it occasionally things like winding down early & reading before going bed really helps
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 97,613
It took me several months before I was sleeping better. It took the first year to get my sleep patterns reestablished.
If it doesn't get better at a year sober, I'd see the doctor for a physical check up.
If it doesn't get better at a year sober, I'd see the doctor for a physical check up.
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
I've had sleep issues my entire life with or without alcohol. It was a prime reason I started drinking so much. I did sleep when drinking, but I know its not quality rest. I take some over the counter herbal stuff now at bedtime and I sleep pretty good.
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 6,263
I'm sober 24 years and have dealt with insomnia throughout. My shrink prescribes Trazadone (an anti-depressant) and a low dose of a low dose of Quentipine, both cause drowsiness. The last few weeks I've been sleeping. I suggest seeing your doctor.
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LA, CA
Posts: 23
Originally Posted by zjw
couple years for me. i started excercising i guess that sorta helped but even then I went through a phase where i was getting only 2 or 3 hours of sleep a night and oddly felt great and functioned fine despite the lack of sleep this went on for months too it was very strange.
I also had the added benefit of kids so even nights where finally things where going ok ALAS i'd get screwed becasue one of the kids would have me up for whatever reason.
But finally now years later I seem to do ok now ::knock on wood::
One ODD thing i quit caffine you would think that would help right? Not in my case on mornings where i have a cup of coffee that evening i tend to sleep better.
I also had the added benefit of kids so even nights where finally things where going ok ALAS i'd get screwed becasue one of the kids would have me up for whatever reason.
But finally now years later I seem to do ok now ::knock on wood::
One ODD thing i quit caffine you would think that would help right? Not in my case on mornings where i have a cup of coffee that evening i tend to sleep better.
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Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2,950
I had it bad the first ten days of sobriety this time... then I slept like a baby for a while.... then I opened up the closet door and let all the skeletons come and play, and now they keep me up most nights. I will find coffins for them all though and lay them to rest so that I can rest. Like my homage to Halloween? lmao goofy mood
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