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all nighters

Old 06-12-2016, 05:16 AM
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all nighters

How do you guys get through all night when you're sober when you cannot sleep?
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Old 06-12-2016, 05:48 AM
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Not sure if I'm allowed to post this here, but Melatonin helps me as well as Valerian root. Melatonin helps the first few days and then I don't need it anymore.
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Old 06-12-2016, 05:49 AM
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Are you detoxing?
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Old 06-12-2016, 05:55 AM
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Insomnia is very common in the early stages of quitting/sobriety, have you recently quit ozm8ey? Some of it is unavoidable but it will pass. There are things you can do to help, but seeing a doctor before taking any sleep aids ( natural or not ) is also recommended.
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Old 06-12-2016, 06:03 AM
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yes I have tried to quit quite a few times now. Usually when I cannot sleep I'll try and play video games but it just doesn't do it for me enough. Its that anhedonia thing + insomnia
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Old 06-12-2016, 06:22 AM
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Sleep has always been a huge issue for me when seeking sobriety. I drank for 25 years and toward the end, I was using booze mainly to get to "sleep". Alcohol is a depressant and with regular use, the body counteracts by releasing "wake up" hormones. These hormones continue to be released well after the cessation of alcohol, hence insomnia.
My bedtime on the night of day 1 was 4:30 AM. Gradually, I retired earlier and earlier. At 7 months sober my bedtime is a healthy 10:30. Finally! It took a long time to be tired enough to want to go to bed at that hour and sleep can still be restless at times. But it's a small price to pay for sobriety.
I used magnesium for sleep. I take it 1/2 hour before bed. If I miss taking it, I notice.
It does get better with time. An over used cliche, but it's true.
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Old 06-12-2016, 09:50 AM
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Melatonin and bendryl for me.
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Old 06-12-2016, 09:58 AM
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I like listening to audio books when I go to bed. I follow the book for a while but then I fall asleep. Also, if you like the smell of lavender oil, use it in a diffuser and/or rub a few drops on your feet and wrists before bed to help you relax. And Sleepytime tea helps me as well.
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Old 06-12-2016, 10:03 AM
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when i was new

6am meeting

work all day

6pm meeting
8pm meeting
midnight meeting

no problem sleeping
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Old 06-12-2016, 10:07 AM
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read, listen to an AA speaker on my mp3 or computer or phone, watch a movie, go with the flow and just be up and get something done or lay real still and rest my body; listen to music or something to quiet my head.

This will pass. We gotta give time time.
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Old 06-12-2016, 11:15 AM
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I listen to meditation audio tapes and diffuse lavender oil.
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Old 06-12-2016, 11:41 AM
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Chamomile, diffuse lavender oil, jigsaw puzzles on the iPad, shows that are just ok so I get bored and sleepy, books, reading and posting here.

Some people have strong feelings against going to bed on a full belly or eating a lot before bed, but for me, it's very helpful to go to bed full... I usually eat chicken and rice or something easy to digest., noodle soup with a poached egg in it and avocado.. Helps me feel sleepy and calms my mind down. I'm also underweight and don't have emotional issues with food, so I realize this could be mentally dangerous for those with disordered eating..
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Old 06-12-2016, 11:51 AM
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A few things that work for me:

L-theanine -- an amino acid found naturally in the body that helps wth anxiety. They gave us this, Sleepytime tea, melatonin and vistirol (an rx antihistimine) when I was in rehab

Guided sleep meditations on apps or youtube

A warm bath or shower shortly before bed

Watching something interesting but unexciting on netflix or amazon prime-- say, a pbs documentary

Reading (but not a thriller!)
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