Nighthawk8820

Okay so as I mentioned last week, I have been sober off alcohol now for over 2 years, but I started taking over the counter sleep aids to deal with the insomnia I had. Well, I ended up taking them for YEARS and had upped my nightly dosage to 5-6 pills. I never thought about them being addictive, but I was totally wrong.

Today is day 7 since I weaned myself off and now I havent had a single one in 6 nights. I have been anxious, but the worst thing is I am just emotional and tend to be quite mean and rude. This is effecting me at work, and didnt help that it happened to be a stressful week.

I am proud of my progress and willpower, so I thought I would share my update. One more thing I dont need out of my life. I know I feel up and down now, but it will get better.........like it always does, with time. I cant wait to start feeling like myself again, and I cant help but wonder how much these pills have effected my mood and overall sense of well-being this whole time. How is everyone tonight?

Michael8899

I know I just said it in another thread, but running really helps anxiety and insomnia. Even a half hour a day a few hours before bedtime made a world of difference for me

Eleni58

I am on day 15 of sobriety and STILL need the sleeping pills every night. I take 2 now but the first several days I was taking 3-4. I am still suffering from insomnia (don't get to sleep until 3 or 4 a.m.) but at least I am no longer sleeping 12 hours a day like I did when I was drinking. I now get 5-6 hours of sleep before getting up for the day. I am kind of scared I will end up depending on the sleeping pills for an extended period of time. I soooo wish I could just go to sleep at a normal time like normal people without any RX aid.

EndGameNYC

To say that sleep is an important function is a gross understatement.

Our sleep affects all major systems, including cardiac functions. It also has a tremendous effect on our mental and emotional well-being.

Bravegirl

Have you tried herbal teas? Celestrial seasonings makes a sleepy time tea. It puts me to sleep fairly quickly. Melatonin a natural supplement also works really well.

shellbellz

Hey NightHawk

Hope your sleep returns to some state of normality soon - well done on 7 days and for making such a brave decision to quit the tabs (hugs)

For those nights of insomnia or anxiety come join us in the chat room! When my mood & anxiety levels have been through the roof, I have unexpectedly been calmed by all the good peeps in chat and often had a good laugh!
Oh, and I have fallen asleep on chat countless times! (ha ha)

All the best
(hug)
Shell

ImperfectlyMe

Nighthawk very well done!!! Once you get through this phase where you body relearns to sleep and self soothe you are going to be a new man I really applaud you for taking such good care of yourself!
How's your sleeping now?
All the best

GracieLou

Congrats on day 7, I am glad you are doing well!

I take one Unisom a night and I have since I have been sober. There has been a couple of nights I did not take them as I was damn tired and basically forgot and fell asleep without it.

I have been trying to do this on the weekends when it does not really matter when I fall asleep or wake up but I find it hard to get over that hump.

I have never taken more than one but perhaps that is because I never needed more than one or I have never been into any type of substance other than alcohol. I have smoked pot and it was all good but I never craved it. I could take it or leave it and there were times that years went by I did not have any and it never bothered me. Same with pain meds. 99% of the time they made me feel ill so I never saw the attraction unless I was in pain and then I had to cut the dose in half just to be able to tolerate them.

Dee74

congrats on your week

D

Lightning Bug

You are doing FANTASTIC!! Keep it up!