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**A Work in Progress** · September 23, 2008, 08:52 AM

Question on Sleep

Alcohol most DEFINITELY disrupts sleep. My pattern was similar to yours. It was awful, because I couldn't go back to bed... just got up every morning at 3:30 am. That craziness started improving within a couple of weeks AF, and was totally back to normal by about 6 or 7 weeks AF.

best wishes,

wip

**New Day** · September 23, 2008, 08:56 AM

Question on Sleep

Hi time2 ---- I also had your sleep pattern, but would drag myself out of bed by 7:30. My best sleep always started at 6:00. I've started taking 2 Valerian capsules when I go to bed. I still get up (bathroom break), but am able to fall asleep easier most nights. A lot of people here have also had restless nights at the start of their AF time and use either Melatonin or Valerian or Calm-Forte to help them settle. Once your body gets used to being AF, you'll go start to experience better quality sleep. It does seem to affect everyone slightly differently. Hope this helps.

**needachange** · September 23, 2008, 09:05 AM

Question on Sleep

Im with you. The only time I slept real well was if I was so drunk I actually woke up in the morning wondering what had happened the night before. If I drank some less, my sleep was sporadic at best. Same as your story. I am on day 3 AF and I am not sleeping well at all now. Wanted to drink last night so I could. Well, sleep and because every part of my body wanted to because I knew Id be off work today. Many tell me to give it a week or so and I will start sleeping like a baby. I wish you luck in October and all the months after. I am scared I cant quit. But there are many people who have. I hope to be another one. I just LOVE to drink though. I like to drink when I am happy, when I am stressed, while I am cleaning, to enjoy the aftermath of cleaning, while I cook, the list goes on. I wish it didnt have to be so hard for many of us.

**Evie.Lou** · September 23, 2008, 09:17 AM

Question on Sleep

I think that SLEEP was one of the worst parts of ALCOHOLISM...I went YEARS without a full nights sleep..Most nights I was lucky to get 2hrs...It was very physically draining,to say the least.I think that it got worse for the first few days of being AF.No Sleep at all,so i planned to clean out closets and my pantry etc. etc.I didn't even go to bed..On day 5or6 I finally slept for 12+ hrs....I would say that it was over a month until I could count on 6hrs...I forced myself to get up by 7am or the next night would be worse...By month 2 I am mostly sleeping like a baby..Such a blessing after years of no sleep...It is not EASY but it is so WORTH IT..

**paisley** · September 23, 2008, 09:32 AM

Question on Sleep

Sleep seems to be a big issue for me as well. I started my first day AF yesterday and i gotta say, without sounding discouraging that it was hard to sleep. it was as though my body was wondering where the alchohol was in my system.

i sure hope it gets better in the next few days. i keep hearing it will so lets not lose sight of hope. sleep is important for overall health.

also one of the reasons i would drink initially was to help me sleep but really it disrupted my sleep and when i would wake up at 2 or 3am, my body and mind was telling me to get another drink so i coud go back to sleep

**Popeye** · September 23, 2008, 09:43 AM

Question on Sleep

I find that when I go to sleep drunk that I wake in the morning very tired and not refreshed at all. I think perhaps that I'm not getting sleep. I think I'm just knocked out, and missing the benefits of true, restful sleep. I'm awake all day, drinking all evening till bed, and not really sleeping at night for days on end. Is it any wonder that life feels such a trial.
After being AF for a few days, restful sleep comes back but I have the same trouble with weird dreams that many people here do. It takes time to settle down to the pattern of proper sleep that I used to enjoy.
I also find that exercise helps a lot. Going to bed tired is one of the best feelings, I find. Hitting the pillow after a hard days work or play, a nice meal and a couple of hours relaxation; content with your lot in life (or as content as you can be), and happy to be sober, is such a joyful sensation.
It's been a while since I had that feeling.
I want it back.

**iwantto** · September 23, 2008, 09:52 AM

Question on Sleep

i'm on day 11 and i can "almost" count on going to sleep ok... but i seem to wake up after 4 hours, then it's hard to go back to sleep.. almost a wakeful sleep.. i know i'm awake, but it feels like i'm sleeping.. weird..

**time2live** · September 23, 2008, 11:01 AM

Question on Sleep

It sounds as if I can expect these sleepness nights to continue for a while after I stop drinking or even get worse before it gets better. I think it is a good idea to try one or more of the natural sleep aids. It can't hurt. I agree that I'm more or less knocked out when I go to sleep and that's probably why I fall immediately asleep. I just can't wait to sleep well. I think I will be more energetic and accomplish more too. Thanks to you all for your input. I look forward to joining you all on the path to sobriety but am also very afraid. I hope I can do it.

**iwantto** · September 23, 2008, 11:13 AM

Question on Sleep

i hope i didn't discourage you in any way.. don't get me wrong, even with the "trouble" sleeping, you still feel 1000% better the next day, compared to the passed out sleep..

**Popeye** · September 23, 2008, 11:14 AM

Question on Sleep

You can do it.
It's a journey where you will discover so much about yourself, physically, mentally and spiritually.
It's like an epic voyage.
Sinbad, a sailor like myself, had to fight many different demons to reach his prize.
So do we, but the prize is definately worth it

**Janice** · September 23, 2008, 11:20 AM

Question on Sleep

I could have wrote your post myself Time2live!!! In fact, I think you should change your name to Time2sleep!! My sleep pattern is exactly the same as yours when I'm drinking. I read somewhere that when we wake up in the night like that, its the alcohol leaving our bodies. Like you, once awake, I would start worrying about anything and everything - from my health, my liver, my kidneys to getting my house sorted out!!! From February to June I did 120 days AF and I can honestly say I slept through every single night!! I didn't even get up for the bathroom. Today I am on day 2 of my new life and I'm sooooo looking forward to going to bed now!!! Sleeping right through is one of the biggest motivators for me!! Look forward to seeing you in October!!

best wishes & sweet dreams!!

Janicexxx

**Boss.man** · September 23, 2008, 12:05 PM

Question on Sleep

For me, Melatonin 3g at 2am seems to work good for those midnight wakeups when AF. I can't take Valerian or Unisom that late, because it will affect me the next day.

Right now I do one Melatonin when going to bed, and a 2nd if I wake up in the middle of the night.

**bestlifeldms** · September 23, 2008, 12:30 PM

Question on Sleep

Time2, I have to agree that it did take a while before I I started to experience the restful sleep pattern that I now enjoy. We can tolerate many things, if we know that they are going to improve. And, it WILL improve! There is a product (in the US) called "Midnight". You can take it when you wake up in the middle of the night and it is all natural, non habit forming and does not have any residual effects in the AM. Look into it. It could be of help until the real thing kicks in. Congratulations with your sobriety.

**LVT25** · September 23, 2008, 01:55 PM

Question on Sleep

Time2

I sleep much better now that I'm sober. No more waking up in the night, no more night sweats, no more heart palpitations. But I also quit smoking, which caused a lot of those symptoms.
I do take "True Calm" before bed, and I sleep like a rock!:h

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