Quitting alcohol and insomnia?
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Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1
Quitting alcohol and insomnia?
Hello everyone,
I just joined this group today, because I recently quit drinking alcohol for the first time after 14 years. I was drinking heavily every night for the past 9 years. It's been 5 weeks since I had my last drink, and I can't sleep. I've read this is normal the first few days to couple of weeks, but it's been over a month, and I still can't sleep for more than a couple of hours. My mind races and worries too much that I have to be to the point of exhaustion to be able to sleep, but I consider that having to pass out in order to sleep, like I was doing with alcohol. For example, I've only had a total of 8 hours of sleep in the last 48 hours. Is it normal to experience insomnia for this long after quitting? Will it get better, or is this too long to be caused by quitting still?
I just joined this group today, because I recently quit drinking alcohol for the first time after 14 years. I was drinking heavily every night for the past 9 years. It's been 5 weeks since I had my last drink, and I can't sleep. I've read this is normal the first few days to couple of weeks, but it's been over a month, and I still can't sleep for more than a couple of hours. My mind races and worries too much that I have to be to the point of exhaustion to be able to sleep, but I consider that having to pass out in order to sleep, like I was doing with alcohol. For example, I've only had a total of 8 hours of sleep in the last 48 hours. Is it normal to experience insomnia for this long after quitting? Will it get better, or is this too long to be caused by quitting still?
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 35,731
Welcome Nina! Congratulations on 5 weeks. 
It took me a good month plus to get into a regular sleeping pattern. I think it's normal, but if your concerned, maybe speak with your Doctor.
Hope you get some rest soon. I know it's difficult to function properly without decent sleep. Can you sneak in a cat nap? Might help you get through the day better.
It took me a good month plus to get into a regular sleeping pattern. I think it's normal, but if your concerned, maybe speak with your Doctor.
Hope you get some rest soon. I know it's difficult to function properly without decent sleep. Can you sneak in a cat nap? Might help you get through the day better.
sober style
Join Date: May 2016
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,387
I've had brutal insomnia since quitting, especially in the first 2 months. I just try to keep a good attitude about it, stay patient while it improves with time, sleep when I can and don't sweat it when I can't. Sure beats being drunk anyway.
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Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: NC
Posts: 1,655
My insomnia started before I quit but was tapering down my consumption. My pattern is I have poor sleep one night. Sometimes no sleep at all. Then I sleep okay the next night because I am exhausted. I think it is pretty normal when you quit. 2 more days and I am one month alcohol free. My bigger concern is that I have persistent dizziness. Just had an MRI and awaiting the results. It's very disconcerting.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 277
Originally Posted by CBS62 
My insomnia started before I quit but was tapering down my consumption. My pattern is I have poor sleep one night. Sometimes no sleep at all. Then I sleep okay the next night because I am exhausted. I think it is pretty normal when you quit. 2 more days and I am one month alcohol free. My bigger concern is that I have persistent dizziness. Just had an MRI and awaiting the results. It's very disconcerting.
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