Trouble sleeping
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 596
Trouble sleeping
On Day 6. Last 3 nights I've had a lot of difficulty falling asleep. I'll feel very tired, but the second I lie down, my mind starts racing, I feel like I constantly need to get up to go to the bathroom (but don't once I'm up), and just feel restless lying in bed. I eventually fell asleep and got 4-5 hours of sleep, but I know that isn't a healthy amount. I've had issues in the past with sleep and used alcohol at various times to counteract that. Obviously, using alcohol is not an option for me anymore.
Is this just anxiety over committing to staying sober? Something physical? Will it eventually go away? I'm hoping this is just an adjustment period where my body has to re-learn to go to bed every night sober.
Is this just anxiety over committing to staying sober? Something physical? Will it eventually go away? I'm hoping this is just an adjustment period where my body has to re-learn to go to bed every night sober.
This is very common in early sobriety SoberHoopsFan. It took me several weeks before I started getting into a "regular" pattern of sleep again, but it does come. Anxiety could be part of it, and remember your body is adjusting to not being filled with alcohol and it takes time to heal. If you have serious concerns, please see a doctor, but know that it's a very, very common symptom early on.
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 36
I think most people go through sleep issues when first quitting. I know I did. My job isn't dangerous or require an acute level of focus, so it is okay for me if I am a bit groggy throughout the day.
For me, I get up at the exact same time every day. So if I don't fall asleep till midnight, well, then the next night I will be tired and hopefully get to sleep earlier. One thing I have learned is to not go to bed until I am good and tired. Nothing is worse than lying in bed, thinking about booze, and being pissed at the world. Did that as well.
My first three days I went roughly 72 hours with only 3 hours of sleep. Other factors played into that other than alcohol, but it wasn't pleasant, for sure.
For me, I get up at the exact same time every day. So if I don't fall asleep till midnight, well, then the next night I will be tired and hopefully get to sleep earlier. One thing I have learned is to not go to bed until I am good and tired. Nothing is worse than lying in bed, thinking about booze, and being pissed at the world. Did that as well.
My first three days I went roughly 72 hours with only 3 hours of sleep. Other factors played into that other than alcohol, but it wasn't pleasant, for sure.
Today is day 12 for me and the past two nights I have been able to sleep so hang in there. Even though I woke up tired I still felt refresed because I was not hungover. I have a cup of Sleepytime tea before I go to bed. I find it helps me quiet my mind and fall asleep easier.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 596
This is very common in early sobriety SoberHoopsFan. It took me several weeks before I started getting into a "regular" pattern of sleep again, but it does come. Anxiety could be part of it, and remember your body is adjusting to not being filled with alcohol and it takes time to heal. If you have serious concerns, please see a doctor, but know that it's a very, very common symptom early on.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Difficulty falling asleep has been an issue for me for a few years. I have been weekly binge drinking, so that may likely be contributing to it, making my nervous system more active than it should be.
I've found a few things that help:
- having a zone out time for at least an hour before going to bed. i watch some mindless tv to help wind down. don't watch anything with action or drama.
- keep your bedroom very dark. i put peel off plastic dark tint on my windows and turn off all lights.
-take supplements that promote relaxation, like magnesium and melatonin.
-don't drink much water before bedtime, so you don't have to get up to use the bathroom when you are falling asleep. i like drinking lots of water, so if i drink a glass of water an hour before bedtime, i can use the restroom before i go to sleep.
I've found a few things that help:
- having a zone out time for at least an hour before going to bed. i watch some mindless tv to help wind down. don't watch anything with action or drama.
- keep your bedroom very dark. i put peel off plastic dark tint on my windows and turn off all lights.
-take supplements that promote relaxation, like magnesium and melatonin.
-don't drink much water before bedtime, so you don't have to get up to use the bathroom when you are falling asleep. i like drinking lots of water, so if i drink a glass of water an hour before bedtime, i can use the restroom before i go to sleep.
Left the bottle behind 4/16/2015
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 1,416
From what I've read alcohol interferes with your ability to reach REM sleep and generally keeps you from ever getting a decent night of sleep at all. Your body is trying to adjust to the absence of alcohol and it takes time to get back to a normal sleeping pattern. I'm on day 13 and my problem is I fall asleep when I'm not supposed to now. My lunch break went over by 1/2 hour today when I fell asleep. All I intended to do was just close my eyes for a few minutes. I can't even make it through a movie now without falling asleep. So, it will come back, and then you may wanna sleep all the time like I do now.
Right, I had trouble for the first six weeks or so.
Sleepytime tea or any chamomile tea helped at bedtime. Reading instead of TV or computer screens within an hour of bed.
I've always used a fan for white noise and my windows have blackout curtains.
When I would wake up in the middle of the night I would have some chocolate and milk or hot chocolate and toast, then I'd be able to go back to sleep.
It gets better. Everything gets better. There is always someone here at all hours, too. I had many a night of 3AM posts, chatting with the down-under crowd. *waves at Dee and Venuscat and BruceSA*
Sleepytime tea or any chamomile tea helped at bedtime. Reading instead of TV or computer screens within an hour of bed.
I've always used a fan for white noise and my windows have blackout curtains.
When I would wake up in the middle of the night I would have some chocolate and milk or hot chocolate and toast, then I'd be able to go back to sleep.
It gets better. Everything gets better. There is always someone here at all hours, too. I had many a night of 3AM posts, chatting with the down-under crowd. *waves at Dee and Venuscat and BruceSA*
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