Jen31

No alcohol = insomnia

Dee74

Insomnia affects most of us Jen - try and work through it - normal sleeping patterns will return

here's some common sense tips:
10 tips to beat insomnia - Live Well - NHS Choices
D

Natom

Don't be tempted to rely on a pill either. It will most likely make it worse in the long run. This is just one of those things that you have to wait to pass....it will pass sooon though.

Natom.

soberclover

For me No alcohol = I get to be alive another day! The not sleeping thing drives me buggy often but the longer I stay sober I get better sleep. This will pass! The piece that I had to work on was trying to get myself in a relaxed state of mind before I went to bed. Unplugging and not using any technology, reading, and limiting my caffiene helped a lot.

ScottFromWI

Hi Jen - on day 11 here and still not back into normal sleeping patterns for me either, but it is getting much better. The way I look at it I wasn't sleeping very well when I was drinking either, and the sleep didn't really help anyway, you were more passed out than sleeping anyway. Your body is trying to figure out what the heck happened to it! Be strong, it will get better.

Mammyof3boys

Alcohol also = insomnia for me because I wake up having panic attacks and heart palpitations and then I can't get back to sleep.

mecanix

Alcohol + whatever = same old crazy rubbish or worse .
Insomnia or whatever - alcohol = chance to try, do and live something different every day .

Bestwishes, M

janiebluebird

Try not having any caffeine at all. Also try downloading "Relax Melodies" on your smartphone or tablet. You can mix and match sounds that you find relaxing to sleep to. I just used to last night and it helped me to quiet my mind and just listen. I picked the sounds of rain and wind. (You can combine as many sounds as you want - its really good).

Good luck.

2granddaughters

I didn't sleep for the first week or so in rehab.

They told me that nobody had died yet from lack of sleep at their facility. I didn't either.

All the best.

Bob R

sugarbear1

insomnia = brain re-learning how to sleep on it's own and it is healing

insomnia also = not forever

Fandy

it takes a few days for everything to quiet down. try the quiet, dark cool room, stretching or a hot bath before bed. relaxing tea is helpful.

if you are doing this on your own and not feeling well, you need to contact your doctor.

FreeFall

I had the opposite problem, I couldn't stay awake. The sleep I got wasn't quality sleep either, but better quality than when I was drinking.

Try to ride it out, your sleep patterns will get more normal. It's not easy, but it's worth it.

quitforme79

Yup, my sleep was off for a little while but like others have said it will level out. I agree with natom, don't go the sleeping pill route because it will just make it more difficult to get into a normal pattern. Hang on SR and/or watch netflix tv shows/movies. That's what gets me thru

jazzfish

I only have insomnia when I drink. I am so happy to be sleeping through the night now.

When I had insomnia from jet lag, I would take melatonin which worked nicely.

Klbcarmel

Not sleeping sucks......but it's worth no hangover

Dave42001

Exercise was a big help to me.. If you have a place to go to take a good walk it always helped me, if its cold in your area and you can't walk outside I would go to the mall and walk inside.. walk, walk, walk.. get your heart rate up for an hour or more and it will help your sleeping..

kizzy40

That's really good advice, make yourself as naturally tired as you can.

Pondlady

I agree about the walking, or some form of exercise. I've discovered I need less sleep since I quit in June. Daily exercise, a routine, cool room....these all help, but it has taken time.....hang in there

KCCO

It's amazing how much less sleep is required when we haven't put our bodies through the ringer. Hang in there!

Jen31

Thank you everyone. I'm on day two of being wide awake, when I should be sleeping. I laid down with my daughter @ 8:30 and here I am @ 12:30 wide awake. As everyone has noted, it's much better than being passed out drunk. At least I can easily read the words on my phone for a change!
It was so wonderful to lay there and watch my daughter (4yrs old) fall asleep. She's so precious.