comtnman740

Insomnia
Hey guys,
The last few months I’ve been battling with on and off again insomnia. I fall asleep pretty easily around 9 but I’m waking up between 3 and 4. Today I couldn’t get back to sleep and ended up coming into work drained. I know for a fact that I have to cut down on the caffeine late in the day. It’s difficult because it has become some what of a vice for me. Do I have the disease of more or what? I also made a move from the mountains to the city in February which is a huge change in environment. I just don’t sleep as well. I have started to drink “Calm” which is a magnesium supplement. I a little over 15 months sober and wondered if anyone experienced insomnia in the 1-2 year range. Thanks!
Garrison

August252015

Yep, I still experience it quite badly (like last night when I tossed and turned at finally got up at 230) here at 27 mo. It ebbs and flows for me. All I can suggest is something that can work for me, sleeping with less covers/a cooler temp; making sure I don't go to bed dehydrated is also helpful. I do take prescribed sleep aids.

biminiblue

I find getting some exercise helps a LOT.

The only time I have that sleep pattern you describe is if I am really stressed about something. Then I know I have to do something about whatever it is.

I don't take any meds and I drink one cup of coffee per day, in the morning. Caffeine in the afternoons used to mess with my sleep, too.

lessgravity

Get up early as you can and workout. Works wonders for me.

entropy1964

9-4 is 7 hours. Maybe stay up a little later?

Rar

I have an app on my iPhone called 'Calm'. I use it every night when I'm in bed. I have it set up where the first part is about 10 minutes of meditation and a mini lesson on something (like stress, work relationships, etc. - a variety). The second is a bedtime story. It's free, but I ended up paying for a year's subscription because I liked it so well. I end up falling asleep most times during the meditation. Sometimes I wake up during the night and start a bedtime story or another meditation. It is very helpful for me. I suffer terribly from insomnia.

ETW

As a previous member said, exercise helps a lot. Melatonin, nighty-night tea by traditional medicinals or taking a magnesium supplement an hour or so prior to bedtime really helped me. Liquid bliss by heart warming can also be really helpful. All can be found at a health food store.

Porcetta

I woukdnt be complaining about 7 hours, thats heaps!!! I have occasions with no or 2-3 A night.

Be careful with Melatonin if you choose that.

CreativeThinker

Hi Comptnman- You and I have the same amount of time of sobriety (15 months) and I too still have sleep problems. I workout 1.5hrs daily, don't find myself stressed a lot, drink 1-2 cups of coffee or tea in the am, stopped taking naps during the day (I work from home)...but I still find it difficult to fall asleep at night. Once I'm asleep, I'm fine. I've been taking a natural sleep supplement which helps (sometimes) but generally I struggle.

In your case, it could have something to do with your move to an urban area. Moving to a new environment (especially to the city) can be stressful. Were you sleeping OK before the move?

CT

AnonSara

Yes, insomnia was bad for the first year or two.
It got better once I really worked was letting go of a lot of anxiety and control issues (did this through AA 12 Step program)
Also:
stopped caffeine
drank more water
treated other co-occuring addictions
Started working out in healthy ways
taking Magnesium also- I think that's a good one!
stuck to a routine with sleep no matter what
and STOPED working so many hours, that relates to the control issues I mentioned above but it was amazingly helpful to my overall health