6 days Sober but Insomnia is a tad unerving
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Spokane Valley
Posts: 1
6 days Sober but Insomnia is a tad unerving
Today is my 6th day sober. I finally came to the realization that I had a problem with alcohol abuse when a nurse asked when the last time i had been sober for 15 straight days in the last year. As of today, I have not consumed any alcohol in 6 days, the lack of sleep and horrible intensely vivid dreams seem to be the only withdrawal symptoms I have had. With trepidation I am curious to see how this journey will go.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North of England
Posts: 1,442
Just a word of reassurance that insomnia is very common indeed when one stops drinking. Personally I have found the best thing to do is not to fight it. My own experience is that vivid dreams are par for the course too!
In my case I was sleeping OK within four or five days but I recall a previous attempt to quit drinking when I had bad nights for at least a couple of weeks.
Either way - lack of sleep ain't no reason to take a drink!
And congrats on 6 days!
In my case I was sleeping OK within four or five days but I recall a previous attempt to quit drinking when I had bad nights for at least a couple of weeks.
Either way - lack of sleep ain't no reason to take a drink!
And congrats on 6 days!
Recovering
Join Date: May 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 1,361
Spokane78 - Well done on day 6. I haven't had any vivid dreams but my sleep is still shot to pieces.
But I know that will pass (though first time around it took 3 months for my sleep to return t something normal).
As Mentium says, not sleeping is not a good reason to drink - we know we won't ever just have one drink to aid sleep. We just have to get through this early stage.
These early days aren't easy are they? But they will be worth in time. Keep going Spokane!
But I know that will pass (though first time around it took 3 months for my sleep to return t something normal).
As Mentium says, not sleeping is not a good reason to drink - we know we won't ever just have one drink to aid sleep. We just have to get through this early stage.
These early days aren't easy are they? But they will be worth in time. Keep going Spokane!
Whatever it takes - just for today.
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 200
Hi Spokane,
49 days for me today. Terrible insomnia in the first couple of weeks but it has gotten better. I have downloaded an app with guided meditations and find these really helpful. After years of passing out I had forgotten how to fall asleep naturally.
I also had a lot of anxiety and felt quite fearful. Worst of this has passed and only returns if I start thinking too far ahead, like, 'I hope I'm still sober in a year'. Not thinking further than today in that respect has helped immensely.
Very well done on 6 days. It does get better.
xx Scruff
49 days for me today. Terrible insomnia in the first couple of weeks but it has gotten better. I have downloaded an app with guided meditations and find these really helpful. After years of passing out I had forgotten how to fall asleep naturally.
I also had a lot of anxiety and felt quite fearful. Worst of this has passed and only returns if I start thinking too far ahead, like, 'I hope I'm still sober in a year'. Not thinking further than today in that respect has helped immensely.
Very well done on 6 days. It does get better.
xx Scruff
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,439
Hi Spokane - welcome 
I know it's rough but as others have said, it will get better. For me it took about a week to 10 days to settle back into a normal sleeping rhythm = I hope that's the same for you too
D
I know it's rough but as others have said, it will get better. For me it took about a week to 10 days to settle back into a normal sleeping rhythm = I hope that's the same for you too
D
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 418
Hi Spokane,
I had problems sleeping as well. Tossing and turning. Vivid weird dreams.
But with lots of water and fruit I flushed the bad stuff out of my system and sleep became better.
Just keep on trying. You'll start feeling normal soon.
I had problems sleeping as well. Tossing and turning. Vivid weird dreams.
But with lots of water and fruit I flushed the bad stuff out of my system and sleep became better.
Just keep on trying. You'll start feeling normal soon.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 120
I take 5mg of time released melatonin and have not had a single sleepless night. I want to stop taking it though and try to sleep on my own. I may try tonight. I suffered such horrible insomnia for years while drinking. It is nice to be able to sleep 8-9 hours straight. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone so I do not feel like I am taking a "drug". I have a little grogginess when I wake but it quickly goes away.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 242
Insomnia was tough for me for the first week, followed by another week of not feeling rested when I woke up even though I got 8 hours. I'm 25 days in now, sleeping well and waking up before my alarm feeling refreshed. Insomnia is normal and just takes time. Once you get to the other side it feels so great to wake up feeling good every morning!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 5
Awesome accomplishment on 6 days!!! I have found taking a hot bath in lavender Epsom salts and drinking a cup of hot sleepy time tea helps me to combat my insomnia. When I was drinking, I was lucky to get 4 hours of sleep per night... Now 16 days in, I am getting 7 to 9 hours on a regular basis. Hoping you find some restful sleep soon 😀!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 21
I am on day 10 and I had the really severe insomnia and waking up 3+ times in the middle of the night too. I started using essential oils at night and have been able to sleep through the night ever since. Worth looking into. This skeptic turned believer.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 782
Classic part of recovery. Eventually your brain chemistry normalizes and normal sleep patterns will return. BUT, taking up drinking again will put you right back where you started, if not make it worse.
Stay the course and you will be good!
Congrats on day 6!!!
Stay the course and you will be good!
Congrats on day 6!!!
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