Misssy2

I thought about 2 weeks into sobriety and not being able to sleep well at all...struggling with insomnia which seemed like it would last for eternity..that I would NEVER sleep well again.

I just want to let people know that are struggling with sleep patterns after stopping alcohol....it took about 40 days for me to sleep in a "normal" pattern...and to wake up feeling refreshed.....

I have been thru lots of insomnia in the last 35 plus days....and the last few nights I have slept what could be considered as really "well" for me.

So if you are new...struggling with sleep...there is a light at the end of the tunnel...just stay stopped and things fall into place.

Dee74

I'm glad you're sleeping well again Missy.

Its worth noting tho that if anyone's finding lack of sleep debilitating it might be worth considering seeing your Dr,

D

SoberRican

First couple of weeks were a little ruff. Now at day 87. I sleep like a baby. Keep coming back.

least

It took me several weeks before I was sleeping well. I would also suggest seeing your doctor if your sleep was not getting better.

NicLin

Def seeing doc would be good. I have sweats still and very strange, vivid dreams and sometimes, hallucinations.

But getting up refreshed, I guess I am excited to be sober!

Sapph21

Thanks Missy!
I’m just at 30 days now (yay!), and I’ve been having a super hard time falling and staying asleep...when I finally do (hours and hours later) I’m out like a log, crazy dreams, and then, boom...my kid is awake (he’s always been a super early riser....can some of that energy up for me there, kid, would ya? ) I’m impressed with my ability to get to some form of REM anyways, so I’m glad to hear it gets a bit better soon! Sweet dreams!

BackandScared

Thanks for the messages. I am also struggling to sleep. Have never been a great sleeper and I think the temptation of drinking is often going to be related to that. I know it is not a restful sleep; I know I will wake up panicky at 3 am... But, I am now awake at 3 am. I will wait until I have 6 weeks sobriety and if does not improve I will follow the advice and try the doctor.

August252015

I'm always glad when I hear about people finding physical improvement so early! Like those who can exercise after a couple days because enough energy has returned.

I have to throw in, tho, the kind of comment I usually make - this stuff takes a lot longer for some of us. There are also ups and downs in all this progress, for me and others. I say this to encourage those who DO have a longer haul to healing, for whatever reason, to stay the course.

Dee shared this article way back when and it was a powerful source of info for me. PAWS is a syndrome so various people connect to it or don't - I found it on point for points in my progress and also about things like nutrition etc that can be good info for all of us.
https://digital-dharma.net/post-acut...r-immediately/

Every day sober is a victory and feeling better, sleeping better, all that is a daily blessing. It's also worth seeing our drs, IMO, to discover what could be going on besides the process of getting sober.

Side note - I considered myself in early sobriety til almost 2 yr I think. Truly early days like a couple weeks, 40 days, 90 .... certainly early and important to keep going one day at a time.

BackandScared

Thanks for the reminder August. It is a difficult combination: the accomplishment that each day of not throwing more poison into our body means, against the many years we did it. It is almost a miracle the body manages to detox in a few days of the worst part of the mess alcohol makes with our neurological system.

At the same time, alcohol is used to hide problems that were there before: anxiety/insomnia, etc. Once you remove the alcohol it shouldn't be a surprise that they remain there. I guess we all have different combinations: my anxiety, my heart beat and my blood pressure are much lower in a very short period of time. My insomnia and my stamina are worse. I have always exercised and I cannot now.

Overall, it is amazing how much better I feel in just over 3 weeks. I guess other improvements will take years and I am very much looking forward to it.

Misssy2

PAWS was something I learned about 15 years ago in a rehab facility a Dr. presented it..and it made so much sense....

There was one thing in particular...that stuck with me...I felt like I couldn't do anything right unless I was drinking...I was messing up at work MORE sober....

When the Dr. talked about PAWS it made sense and I was willing to stay sober and see everything straighten itself out.

MLD51

I was a clumsy, confused mess for a few weeks right at the beginning. I was really afraid I had damaged my brain! But I was in outpatient, and they talked about PAWS, so I felt comforted knowing it might just take some time before I felt normal again. I was a lucky one who was able to sleep great within a couple of weeks, but other effects lasted longer for me, like the brain fog and emotional ups and downs. Everyone is a little different.

August252015

Getting some logical info as well as accepting that it was all a process was huge for me.

Hodd

August252015

^^^to Hodd's points - I'm almost 3.5 yr sober and still struggle with sleep. Right now, it sucks.

I certainly fell into the camp of the "two years to heal" thing - truthfully, I consider myself one of the "five year folks" to see recovery. I realize that I'm legions from 2/21/16 yet everrrrrrything about me had so much healing to do that 3 has been the best yet tho it is tough right now, and I'm listening to those who tell me 5-8 have been significant for them.

Wherever we are, I'm glad to end this day, this month sober.

elzel

Exercise helped me a lot. My last binge lasted 7 months. After 5 months of a fifth of whisky, vodka or tequila per night, sometimes more, I was ready to stop. Problem is that the insomnia made it unbearable. I dreaded going to sleep sober, so I made the switch to beer. Boy I hate beer, but I had to have it or else I would be up all night. Tossing and turning, sweating profusely. Never being comfortable for 5 minutes.

It took me a good 6 weeks to taper off of the beer. 24 to 18 to 12 beers per day-mostly in the middle of the night to finally 3 or 4 until I was ready to stop cold turkey. Didn't sleep much the first 2 night, but on day 3, I put on my walking shoes and went for a 4 mile walk.

Next morning I was at the gym at 5 AM. Third day I was on my bike. By day 4, I was sleeping like I hadn't in years. Wife complained that I went from sweating all night to snoring all night.

So be it. I now exercise 7 days a week, ride mega-miles on my bikes, and I am no longer sleep deprived.

Misssy2

This really made me LOL....and yes, I know exercise is a big help.....I just don't have time I have full time (day) care responsibilities for my Dad with dementia and I get plenty of exercise there...and I am exhausted.

but it is not the healthy exercise that I need for better sleep.

WaterOx

I'm over 6 months sober and only now I feel I'm starting to get back into decent sleep patterns.

Misssy2

WOW...That is a long freaking time....and Congratulations Waterox on 6 months..that is HUGE.

WaterOx

Thank you. It's actually 7 tomorrow

I should say that my sleep disturbance was "moderate". I never had all nighters where I couldn't sleep. It was more like I was averaging about 5-6 hours a night, with periods of waking up for an hour, and waking up too early, especially. But before I drank I used to sleep a solid 8 hours. Back then, even if I missed so much as a half hour, I'd feel it.....boy are those days over. Now I'm usually happy to have 7 hours in a night and 8 is a rare treat.

Hodd