Not sleeping
 

Well day 9 someone from aa ringing me soon for a talk feel a little silly as am a closed type of person. But herd it helps.
My trouble at the moment is sleeping at night. And the cravings of course,
Any tips welcome

Hi Mallard and welcome! Sleeping for me was also an annoyance. Granted it only lasted for about 5 days mind you.

However this should correct itself. But just some basic things you can do is avoid coffee several hours before bed time, perhaps read a book, or my personal fav, sleep with the TV on to CNN knocks me out within 10 mins haha.

When I first started out here, a wise poster wrote "It is better to be sleep tired then hangover tires".

As you are getting use to no booze in your body, your mind go through some changes and insomnia does seem to be a part of this. But I feel confident that it will level off within a week or so.

If this continues to be too much of a problem, please see your Dr and let him know that you are coming off of booze and are experiencing insomnia.

Take care and be sober!

Chamomile tea helps me.

I will have to try that thank you

I found that coffee became my "go to" when having cravings so be careful about how much caffeine you consume during the day. I am trying to learn about meditation as I understand that it can help me quiet my mind....and I need that! Reading recovery literature is also a way to help me quiet the mind and anything that does that as I try to sleep is good!

This is true... Last night I had my first bout of insomnia. I just tossed and turned all night, getting very close to sleep, but never making it. I get up at 5:30am for work, didn't get anything remotely closed to sleep until my first alarm got snoozed at 5:15am.

With only 15 minutes of sleep, I still feel better than my old 7hours of passed out sleep. Plus I can drink coffee without feeling like i'm going to vomit.

Dib42 am just the same, almost sleep then up for work. And your right still feels better that sleeping with the enemy

I've been taking a magnesium supplement, and that seems to help me a little bit. (I'm not a doctor, of course!) I've been suffering insomnia too, but I'm still proud of myself for greeting each morning exhausted but sober.

Soberclover, do you have any meditation recommendations?

Thank you for the tip and again I agree, to wake up tyred but sober feels good

Exercise!! Even if you only do 20 or 30 minutes. Get out and MOVE.

Good luck -- insomnia is a pain in the backside!

I know its hard when you are desperate for sleep but maybe think...

1. You will not upset or offend anyone being tired
2. You probably will not end up in jail as a result of lack of sleep
3. You cannot damage your liver from lack of sleep
4. You will not loose your job from being tired
5. You will not loose your family from being tired
6. You are not likely to loose your wealth from being tired.
7. You are not likely to loose your home to being tired.
8. Its not very possible you can die from being tired

But you can loose all things and could die if you continue to drink, just like I could.
Stick with it, you are doing great

My best to you
xxxx

Haha thank you Sasha so true x

Mallard666, I hope sleeping comes easier soon. My issue is heroin, not alcohol, but I know all too well the maddening scenario of trying to sleep freshly sober and not being able to. For me, not only am I physically unable to sleep, but my mind races with guilt, regret and worry. Congratulations on the 9 days sober - or is it ten today? You're doing fantastic. I really appreciate what Sasha4 wrote. Those are all excellent points and really puts things into perspective for me.

Poor sleep plagued me for months (and it's still not perfect). I did find getting exercise and giving up caffeine helped avoid the worst of the sleeplessness.

Joy I don't no what you are going through but have a family member battling the same horrible drug hope you are doing ok help is out there

And yes it's day 10 whoop whoop

I tried the herbal supplement valerian root and it seemed to help me sleep.

Mallard, try listening to a book while you're lying in bed. Or if you're Catholic, try saying the Rosary! Instant sleep! I'm not mocking religion--that's just how it is!

I read on here as not much of a reader, I am tyred when I go to bed but just toss and turn all night, ten days sober and feeling good right now :)

Try a book on tape. That's what I meant.