Clemence

Day three for me (so 2 nights of not drinking so far). I have hardly been able to sleep those 2 nights. I used to sleep heavily a for a few hours after drinking then lie awake feeling panicky and worried and depressed about what I might have said or done while drunk. Now I just keep waking up all through the night for no reason, tossing and turning and worrying that I will be too tired to get through the next day. Is this normal? It's starting to undermine my positive attitude.

seahorse661

It's completely normal. I stopped worrying about it and just got out of bed, did some reading or chores. Although exhausted, I still functioned better than I did when hungover.

I did use herbal sleep aids (passionflower and valerian) with some success, although they didn't keep me asleep, just helped me relax enough to fall asleep. I also used melatonin for awhile.

If you exercise you will sleep better but be assured that the sleepless nights will end. It took me about a month, so hang in there!

Clemence

Thanks Seahorse. Hadn't thought of it like that; yes I will definitely function better tired than hungover. Will try not to worry about it and get on with work today. And keep reminding myself tonight that tired is better than tired AND hungover!

longbeachone

I wake up all night long too. It's been that way for a couple of years, and nothing has helped, so I just try to deal with it. I don't have any advise, but wanted to tell you you're not alone.

Willfomtheuk

Hi clemence
Well done , day 2 for me, up until 3am on laptop reading all kinds of google shite & this site. Start to talk to the mrs if it helps keep her awake as well I did (a joke) Lets do it together

sober 16th September 2013

misspond

Clemence, I have been sleeping ok but last night I couldn't drop off and then was awake early and my daughter told me that she heard me talking in my sleep so I've been restless all night. It's definitely worth remembering that you're just tired and not tired and hungover. x

Clemence

Lol WillfromtheUk. I AM the Mrs. And I don't think the Mr would like your suggestion too much!!! The support I'm getting here is just fantastic. Really don't think I could do this on my own. Well done on day 2

CaseyW

Very normal. I'm at sixty days right now and I'd say it took at least a month before my body knew how to sleep without the aid of alcohol. Hang in there and keep coming back on these boards. They've been a huge part of my recovery so far.

TexasMichael

I did not sleep well for several weeks.

Then shifted to wanting to sleep ten or more hours per day for another several weeks.

It is some of the most restful, healing sleep I have had in years.

I have found I can control much of it by what I eat during the day. It has evened out to 6 to 9 hours of sleep per day depending on my activities (If I'm at a Casino I can stay up all night).

Before it was eat anything, drink 'till I pass out for a few hours. Wake up with panic and anxiety in the middle of the night. Go to work hung-over the next morning. Come home after work and start the next hang-over.

Things are so much better now.

Willfomtheuk

Looking at it a different way, I start to drink (I mean used to) , what you call early doors at the pub from 4pm to 6 or 7pm , I used to be in bed most nights sleeping it off at 9.30pm. At least, we are not out of it on booze & we can think things over soberly and not be asleep all night!, and maybe achieve a few things the following day?!

Day 2 for me again........going for a run with a mate at 7pm.....not done a run at that time
for a few years, and my weight is starting to drop off already after being 7 pints a night lighter.......... lets keep going everyone, one day at a time sweet Jesus........

Eleni58

I am on day 54 of sobriety and had extreme insomnia through day 48. The last 6 days, however, I finally started going to bed at a decent hour and have been able to get some good, sound sleep. The only thing I did differently was add ginger and tumeric to my sleepytime tea.

Willfomtheuk

I will be gagging for a pint later tho....

Clemence

Well done Will; going for a run is great; endorphins and all that. DON'T undo the goodness with a pint. You'd kick yourself. It's not worth it. I'll remind myself I said that later when I'm fantasizing about wine

Willfomtheuk

LOL Clemence....this site does really help, you have to try really hard all the time dont you?!