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01-17-2018, 09:58 AM
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#1 (permalink)
| Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 9
| Drink to sleep - need to quit
I need to quit drinking. For years, I drink to sleep, but I need to change. The “how-to-change” is what I’m trying to figure out.
I have a great life, great spouse, job, and family. I’m up at 4:30ish in the morning, headed to work at a job I really enjoy. My spouse is absolutely wonderful and we get along very well. But for years, I can’t sleep without drinking (vodka). I want to change that—I need to change that. I’m looking for recommendations on the best way to stop without impacting my spouse/job/family. Any suggestions? Anyone here faced the same thing and what worked for you? Thanks!
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01-17-2018, 10:04 AM
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#2 (permalink)
| Member
Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: California
Posts: 1,420
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I would check with your doctor. He or she might recommend supplements or meds to help sleep until you have detoxed, idk. Just about a given is experiencing insomnia at first after quitting. Have strategies in place for that. I'm a lifelong insomnia, I feel ya
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01-17-2018, 11:28 AM
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#3 (permalink)
| Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 9
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I take it that insomnia is one of the things that happens when you stop drinking. That’s going to be a tough, especially given that I have such a busy, full like during the day. Guess the unknown is always a little difficult to get through, but it’s something that has to be done. Any thoughts on how long the insomnia lasts or does it vary person-by-person?
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01-17-2018, 11:41 AM
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#4 (permalink)
| Member
Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: California, USA
Posts: 572
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Insomnia is very common, yet not a "given". And yes, it's frustrating. The good news is that there's usually company on SR at any hour of the day/night. Good for you to give up alcohol! You have so much in your life going well that it might be just the right time to go sober...even if ocassionally sleep deprived.
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01-17-2018, 11:47 AM
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#5 (permalink)
| Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 9
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Thanks JK130! I sure appreciate the encouragement! I know I’m not the only one facing this task but quitting is the right thing to do—and HAS to get done!
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01-17-2018, 11:54 AM
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#6 (permalink)
| Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 57
| Meltonin and magnesium supplements for insomnia...and chamomile tea
Meltonin and magnesium supplements for insomnia...and chamomile tea Or valerian tea. Give it a go. Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasBorn Thanks JK130! I sure appreciate the encouragement! I know I’m not the only one facing this task but quitting is the right thing to do—and HAS to get done! | |
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01-17-2018, 11:56 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 1,092
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Drinking caused me to sleep poorly. I'd fall asleep but not sleep long and wake often during the night. I'd average around four pints of water during the course of the night.
I had some insomnia problems when I was drinking due to coming off of pain meds. I'm starting to actually sleep a bit better now after 11 months but again my insomnia was not from alcohol withdrawal. I actually kicked the pain meds four years ago and still have insomnia from that!
__________________
" Well the first days are the hardest days, don't you worry any more,
Cause when life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door.
Think this through with me, let me know your mind,
Wo, oh, what I want to know, is are you kind?" ~Robert Hunter
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01-17-2018, 03:20 PM
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#8 (permalink)
| Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Australia
Posts: 179,218
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Welcome Texas Born
I drank to sleep for years too - when I quit I had hardcore insomnia for a night or two but it got progressively better pretty quickly,
After about 2 weeks I'd settled uinto a bnew sleeping pattern and rarely have sleep issues anymore
Hope it works that way for you too
D
__________________________________________________ _______________________________
Just a reminder to everyone on medical advice... support and personal experience only please...no recommendations for others. Quote:
Medical and Psychiatric advice includes giving a diagnosis, treatment plan, medication advice and dosage suggestions, over the counter and natural home remedies that should be approved by medical professionals.
| I understand that all who shared are well meaning and trying to help - but what happened to you and how you overcame it may not be suitable for others, and may well keep someone else from seeking the professional assistance they need.
Thanks for your understanding,
Dee
Moderator
SR
Last edited by Dee74; 01-17-2018 at 04:41 PM.
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01-17-2018, 04:02 PM
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#9 (permalink)
| Marchia in Aeternum
Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Georgia
Posts: 10,893
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Hopedeferred Meltonin and magnesium supplements for insomnia...and chamomile tea Or valerian tea. Give it a go. | What Hope said! I've had some great nights after discovering these naturals.
I've taken as much as 10 mg of melatonin on occasion and as little as 3 mg just depends on the day. A hot herbal tea an hour before bed will totally relax me. Take your vitamins.
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Other people have cared about me more than I cared for myself.
I owe them.
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01-17-2018, 09:22 PM
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#10 (permalink)
| No Dogma Please
Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,560
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You're not really sleeping if you're using alcohol, you're passing out. And possibly have to take a shot in the middle of the night. Alcohol is a lousy sleep agent. It's very short acting and completely destroys your sleep architecture.
I was cross-addicted to sleeping pills (lunesta, the green butterfly thingie). So when I detoxed, they switched me to valium for the alcohol and simultaneously tapered the lunesta. My insomnia wasn't bad in the acute stages, but lingered on for a few weeks in decreasing severity.
Man, when you DO finally sleep when you're not drinking you feel so much more refreshed. Because real sleep.
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01-17-2018, 09:28 PM
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#11 (permalink)
| Blue Belt
Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Soberville, USA
Posts: 3,174
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Tex,
I learned here that 1 hour of sober sleep is worth 12 drunken.
The addiction to booze is for life.
Dealing w the world clean is how I was designed.
It took months for me to see a big change in my energy.
These days, it is a whole new world.
Get clean.
Thanks.
__________________
D122y
When I crave I think of the next day after effects:
high blood pressure, sleep issues, strength loss, immune system compromise (sick).
BpSSS. My mantra.
Studied "alcohol kindling" and "alcohol PAWS."
Last intoxication: 8 May 15. |
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