Oxford1

I'm not sure what I'm addicted to anymore. I keep using alcohol for the purposes of sleeping and not fun. I crave sleep all the time, I'd rather be in that state than sober

ScottFromWI

Sorry to hear that Oxford, but I can say I've been there too. It's a vicious cycle for sure - but quitting can get you out of it. It's uncomfortable at first, but long term things can vastly improve. Rememeber that alchol is a depressant - so it's not only going to make you tired, but also depressed.

I can also tell you from experience that eventually alcohol won't help you sleep anymore either - i got to that point and it was horrible. I had to basically drink to just not have withdrawals and heart palplitations - the "buzz" and the relaxing feeling I got from drinking were long gone.

Forward12

Are you drinking out of desperation from a severe sleep issue, or using sleep issues as an excuse to drink?
A simple visit to your docs can put you in the right direction either way if it's a referral to a sleep specialist, an addiction specialist, or both.

Oxford1

I did ask a specialist for help. I'm finding it hard to explain to them why I need help. They don't seem to understand

ScottFromWI

Just tell them exactly what you said in your first post here. That you need alchol to sleep. Print out your post and take it to them if you don't feel comfortable verbalizing it.

Forward12

What did they tell you? It's pretty simple to tell them you have a bad sleep disorder causing you to resort to alcohol, and would likely give you a referral to a sleep specialist or prescribe you some sleep meds.
Though it sounds like you are using sleep issues as an excuse to drink.

WaterOx

I’m pretty new to sobriety but all I can say is I never thought I’d sleep this good again and it’s only just the beginning. And the dreams! I thought I would never have dreams again but they have been back with a vengeance every night I can honestly say I’m starting to look forward to sleeping again.

I truly didn’t realize how much I missed it.

scaredikklegoth

It sounds like depression to me. I sleep lots when I'm depressed as I prefer it to being awake when I feel that bad. Alcohol obviously exacerbates depression and sleep issues so maybe your doctor could help you? Drink won't, you know it wont, not in the long run.

MindfulMan

Depression can cause sleep patterns to change. Either oversleeping or undersleeping, the latter usually accompanied by hair-trigger anxiety. Oversleeping is often, but not always, a symptom of bipolar depression.

Be careful of sleep meds. When I was drinking I took a fistful of meds to sleep on top of alcohol. OTC antihistamines, max dose of Lunesta (a "Z" drug like ambien but longer acting), trazodone, melatonin. I'm down to 1/4 of the trazodone I used to take and a 3mg melatonin, which I want to gradually want to wean off of to on a true "as needed" basis. The Lunesta can be especially nasty...it's approved for long-term use and can be nearly as addictive as benzos.

Your sleep specialist will want to do a sleep study, where you go and stay overnight and get hooked up to all of these machines. I discovered that I had pretty severe sleep apnea. A CPAP machine has got to be the most unsexy thing ever invented and will make you feel geriatric, but oh my God, I finally got a real night sleep. Unfortunately I was still addicted to the meds tho. The machine continues to be a lifesaver.

Overuse of chemical sleep aids is common in sleep disorders; they have behavioral changes you can use that work well.

paulokes

There is good evidence to prove that alcohol does not aid sleep. Even if you pass out you will not be getting quality REM sleep...and your body will be too busy processing booze to do anybofbthe other nightly recovery it needs to do.

If you go to a specialist and tell them you cant sleep, they will likely tell you they don't know What is wrong. If you tell them you are drinking large quantities of alcohol in order to sleep, they will likely tell you your drinking is affecting your sleep.

I thought that I couldn't sleep without drink too...I was wrong...turns out I just can't drink, which is why I couldn't sleep.

P

yellowmaisey

Hi Oxford, how are you doing? I use alcohol to sleep too but have slowly realised that it's doing the exact opposite and ruining it. I have real trouble falling asleep without it but hoping to get sleep meds on Monday from the GP. Have you sought medical help or considered it?

Robbie64

I'd say that alcohol makes sleep problems worse. I've never been a great sleeper and even before I ever darnk, when I was a child I would take a while to sleep.

One thing I've found that helps is exercising a few times a week and going for a walk each day but for some people that may not be an option due to work patterns or the cost of joing a gym. My local council runs a leisure centre that is nice and cheap and which allows unlimited access to many facilities but that is in the UK and perhaps the same facilities run by a local council may not be available elsewhere. But I certainly do find exercise does help me sleep better (though I still do have times where I have problems getting a good night's sleep) and it's also good for my anxiety and depression as I find they have lessened a lot over the past few months.

Nesta0601

I used to do the same thing my drinking was between 9p and 2a and (strictly strangely I felt having a schedule made it less of a problem) it was soley for the purpose of unwinding and going to sleep because without it I couldn't sleep. I didn't realize I was just going thru withdrawal I thought it was insomnia. I still have issues with sleep from time to time but when that happens I just take the dogs out for a run until I'm tired as 4 hours of sleep is better than 8 hours of passing out.