And I thought
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Yep. Well aware. I have actually tried to read my way out of addiction (incidentally that doesn't actually work). I'm well versed on the pros and cons of the "disease model". Unfortunately information is not transformation. It's one of those agree to disagree things.
I should amend this to state.... my personal negative emotion attached to using "disease" is in no way intended to discount your belief or opinion. I just have my reasons
I should amend this to state.... my personal negative emotion attached to using "disease" is in no way intended to discount your belief or opinion. I just have my reasons
At the same time, I see how a lot of people use the term "disease" as a scapegoat. There's a lot of different angles to it.
Hi abgator, congratulations on 4 days sober!
I just wanted to second what MLD51 said about looking into S.M.A.R.T meetings. Some of the ones I went to were very good although others less so. I'm not sure how things work in the US but the meetings were free here in London, consisting of between 10 and 20 people. It took a couple of weeks to get a place on a group.
The other thing I wanted to mention was do try to take some exercise as it does help reduce the insomnia of early recovery and it also shortens the evening craving period - or at least it did for me. Good luck.
I just wanted to second what MLD51 said about looking into S.M.A.R.T meetings. Some of the ones I went to were very good although others less so. I'm not sure how things work in the US but the meetings were free here in London, consisting of between 10 and 20 people. It took a couple of weeks to get a place on a group.
The other thing I wanted to mention was do try to take some exercise as it does help reduce the insomnia of early recovery and it also shortens the evening craving period - or at least it did for me. Good luck.
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Little did I know how much strength asking for help or simply extending yourself to another actually takes.
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My father was much the same.... he truly believed that constant criticism was productive parenting. He was an addict though (gambler) and had some pain issues - not too mention abandonment by parents. But men of his generation were also very "suck it up - don't cry" and that did not just extend to the boys in my family. And no...it is not evolved in any way. But hey, I know they did the best with what they had themselves. I know that when I was younger....asking for help? Therapy? The was for whiny, pathetic sissies. Hence finding answers in a bottle - easy, cheap, isolated therapy.
Little did I know how much strength asking for help or simply extending yourself to another actually takes.
Little did I know how much strength asking for help or simply extending yourself to another actually takes.
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So insomnia sucks. One of my "reasons" for drinking....very difficult for me to sleep. My brain never shuts off. 90 to nothing. I'm not craving a drink surprisingly, just a way to get some damn sleep.
One of my other "reasons" to drink. Freaking pain. My neck went out of alignment today and almost instantly I could feel the light headedness, headache, and eye pain come on. This is always accompanied by mild anxiety. Having this type of pain and feeling in your neck is always unnerving, even though I know it's not major or permanent. I should be back to normal after my chiro appt in 16 hours. Pain "management" when you know medicine doesn't work. Hereto, I'm not craving alcohol itself, just relief. Couple that with insomnia and it'll be a long night. Gotta get the kid up in 6 hours for school.
One of my other "reasons" to drink. Freaking pain. My neck went out of alignment today and almost instantly I could feel the light headedness, headache, and eye pain come on. This is always accompanied by mild anxiety. Having this type of pain and feeling in your neck is always unnerving, even though I know it's not major or permanent. I should be back to normal after my chiro appt in 16 hours. Pain "management" when you know medicine doesn't work. Hereto, I'm not craving alcohol itself, just relief. Couple that with insomnia and it'll be a long night. Gotta get the kid up in 6 hours for school.
It took me about 10 days to get back into a regular sleeping pattern,
As for pain - I have a lot of chronic pain - alcohol never did much really except knock me out for a couple of hours.
Waking up at 3am with the pain coming back is not a good thing.
D
As for pain - I have a lot of chronic pain - alcohol never did much really except knock me out for a couple of hours.
Waking up at 3am with the pain coming back is not a good thing.
D
So insomnia sucks. One of my "reasons" for drinking....very difficult for me to sleep. My brain never shuts off. 90 to nothing. I'm not craving a drink surprisingly, just a way to get some damn sleep.
One of my other "reasons" to drink. Freaking pain. My neck went out of alignment today and almost instantly I could feel the light headedness, headache, and eye pain come on. This is always accompanied by mild anxiety. Having this type of pain and feeling in your neck is always unnerving, even though I know it's not major or permanent. I should be back to normal after my chiro appt in 16 hours. Pain "management" when you know medicine doesn't work. Hereto, I'm not craving alcohol itself, just relief. Couple that with insomnia and it'll be a long night. Gotta get the kid up in 6 hours for school.
One of my other "reasons" to drink. Freaking pain. My neck went out of alignment today and almost instantly I could feel the light headedness, headache, and eye pain come on. This is always accompanied by mild anxiety. Having this type of pain and feeling in your neck is always unnerving, even though I know it's not major or permanent. I should be back to normal after my chiro appt in 16 hours. Pain "management" when you know medicine doesn't work. Hereto, I'm not craving alcohol itself, just relief. Couple that with insomnia and it'll be a long night. Gotta get the kid up in 6 hours for school.
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I had trazadone years ago, but it only helped me get to sleep. I'd wake up 2 hours later and be off and on all night. I've been through everything the psychiatrist has and none of it helps. And I refuse to take something like ambien, that stuff is crazy.
I take magnesium, among many other supplements. Nothing really seems to help. Even when I'm at my healthiest (sober, exercising, etc), I always have trouble sleeping. I don't think I ever sleep more than 3 hours in a row. The chronic pain just makes it worse. I can function at a high level on 6 hours of sleep. The 2 or 3 I got last night, no idea how I had 9 productive hours at work and now I've got my youngster to play with the rest of the evening/night.
Usually I have one solution that works pretty well (won't say it here..no, not that you pervs), but it didn't help last night.
I take magnesium, among many other supplements. Nothing really seems to help. Even when I'm at my healthiest (sober, exercising, etc), I always have trouble sleeping. I don't think I ever sleep more than 3 hours in a row. The chronic pain just makes it worse. I can function at a high level on 6 hours of sleep. The 2 or 3 I got last night, no idea how I had 9 productive hours at work and now I've got my youngster to play with the rest of the evening/night.
Usually I have one solution that works pretty well (won't say it here..no, not that you pervs), but it didn't help last night.
There has to be something, maybe the dosage wasn't high enough. My mom isn't an alcoholic and the worst insomniac, to this day she can't sleep without whatever she's been prescribed.Maybe just give it some time, insomnia is at its worse the first few days of withdrawal.
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Even when I made it to 2 or 3 months sober, I still only slept 6 hours at best, never consecutively. I think it's just a curse. Just can't shut off the brain.
I feel great now though. Chiropractor and a deep tissue were a huge help. Withdrawal symptoms are completely gone aside from the worse than usual sleep.
I feel great now though. Chiropractor and a deep tissue were a huge help. Withdrawal symptoms are completely gone aside from the worse than usual sleep.
still there are some doctors who specialize in sleep disorders, somnologists or just plain sleep doctors (there are many in my area when I googled), you can get a referral from your family doctor.
Sleep is so important, I hope you can get to the bottom of it.
Sleep is so important, I hope you can get to the bottom of it.
Of course, I also have 100mg of Trazadone. To me, a good nights sleep is essential.
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I've tried the Valerian Root. CBD oil works the best for me, but that gets pricey. It's not for most people, particularly addicts, but I also have a medical marijuana card. I occasionally smoke an indica at night to help me sleep and it works as long as I don't do too much to make my anxious. Mostly though I use it for high CBD, low thc, non-psychoactive benefits. Not promoting that for anyone else, just know what works for me if I need to resort to it.
Luckily, alcohol is the only thing I have an addiction to. I've taken benzos, opiates, weed....and I can stop them and not even think about it.
Luckily, alcohol is the only thing I have an addiction to. I've taken benzos, opiates, weed....and I can stop them and not even think about it.
Really interesting thread, thank you.
I thought you might be interested in this thread which helped me a lot:
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...influence.html (Excerpts from "Under The Influence")
I thought you might be interested in this thread which helped me a lot:
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...influence.html (Excerpts from "Under The Influence")
abgator - I spared you a whole chapter in response last night as my computer crashed. Bottom line is to still be careful, we are not particularly immune to substance addictions. Really hope your sleep improves, there has to be something that won't alter your state of mind or that would help outside what you've tried. They would need to pinpoint your sleep disorder in order to help. A neighbor of mine had sleep apnea, for example, and had to go through an operation last year, but is doing much better.
I'd try to google sleep disorders and go from there to see if any fit my symptoms.
I'd try to google sleep disorders and go from there to see if any fit my symptoms.
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I grew up in a different South than you did, Abgator, but people still don't "get" alcoholism even when they are themselves....or def have them in the fam. My country cousins in point...
I'd just say that my wise dad told me that trying to think my way out of my drinking was just not going to work. I had to give that quest up - and I'd echo the thoughts about substituting anything that helps us cope without dr advice, listening to others etc.
Keep going- what's working right now is the most important. Not drinking is the most important - today.
I'd just say that my wise dad told me that trying to think my way out of my drinking was just not going to work. I had to give that quest up - and I'd echo the thoughts about substituting anything that helps us cope without dr advice, listening to others etc.
Keep going- what's working right now is the most important. Not drinking is the most important - today.
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