To ask how long it took for sleep to become normal when sober?

[Cryingbutstilltrying]

It’s taken me a good few years to accept I have a problem with alcohol.
I would drink half a bottle of wine every night, sometimes more, sometimes with spirits after. This was every night for at least 5 years.
I would go to bed at midnight and drop into a dead sleep immediately. I know it wasn’t a good healthy sleep but it meant I would be up at 7am no problem and deal with the kids, school run, then work.
I was gradually feeling more and more crappy in the day so decided to try not drinking.
After a few false starts where I would go a few days, then slide back into it, finally I had a moment where I was drinking what should have been a nice white wine, and I didn’t really like it, and then the next day I felt like shit and wasted my one day off that weekend. It was a wake up.

Here’s the thing. I’ve not had a drink for 2 weeks but my sleep is awful. It takes forever for me to drop off, I wake at the slightest noise and I’m groggy as hell when the alarm goes off at 7am. I’m tired all day though resisting naps or anything like that.
I’ve stopped drinking caffeine after lunch to see if it helps but so far nothing.
I’ve been exercising earlier in the evening and making sure I am tired and my room is dark, cosy, etc etc.
I’m at a loss.
If you’ve given up drinking, how long did it take to sort your sleep out? I’m absolutely not wanting to go back there but right now the lack of sleep making me feel like drinking tbh. If I’m still feeling this shit what’s the point?

I have had babies around since I stopped drinking, so my sleep's been shit for unrelated reasons. But I think it's pretty normal for it to take a while for things to settle down - your body is getting used to a lot of changes. It all gets a lot easier as time passes, though, so I expect that (for people who don't have a succession of non-sleeping babies, anyway...) sleep will get better too! Well done for stopping - it might not be the instant change you were hoping for, but long term it is an excellent thing to be doing for yourself. Stick with it - the worst part is definitely at the beginning.

To see you through this period
Consider some light sleeping tanks from your doc

My mother was already alcoholic
She relapsed because her sleep has become so dire

Tabs

Well done OP! Good for you.

I would suggest trying over the counter sleeping tablets before you go to the docs. I find Boots Sleepeze enough to get me to sleep normally - you can try the 25mg ones where a standard dose is 2 tablets then it's easier to wean off them over time. I'm sure you won't need them for long and they are non addictive.

How about some exercise

Well done for stopping. Might be worth while trying some sort of bed time routine? And maybe some mindfulness/relaxation?

Well done for stopping, don't be disheartened you're doing the best thing for your health. What's your caffeine intake like? Try cutting it out after late morning. It has certainly helped me.

@Fomofo - I’ve been exercising earlier in the evening and making sure I am tired and my room is dark, cosy, etc etc.

How about actually reading the OP's thread.

@MassiveHoard - I’ve stopped drinking caffeine after lunch to see if it helps but so far nothing.

Why do people not read the whole thread?

I wouldn't say I'm sober so can't answer but know what you're saying as I sleep better after a few drinks and it's very habit forming.

Have you tried meditation / breathing? I find headspace brill at bedtime and sleep lots better.

Name change fail?

@Oftenithinkaboutit - name change fail? I am not the OP. I am just someone who reads the whole of the OP thread. 😜🤣🤣

Piriton doesn't knock me out but definitely makes me a tiny bit drowsy. I take 2 late evening (try 1) helps me get to sleep and get back to sleep easier when I wake.

I've always been a crap sleeper it's not due to giving up alcohol.

Honestly I would make a GP appointment and get their support.

Also magnesium supplements early evening but a full blood screening would be a good place to start anyway.

Well done what a great achievement!

Well done OP, stick with it.

I had the same problem when I stopped drinking, I'd be wide awake until the early hours and wonders if I'd ever sleep properly again. It's a long time ago now so I can't remember how long it took to resolve, it was weeks rather than months or years. I seem to remember the first two weeks were the worst. I've slept very soundly since the initial difficult period.

You're doing all the right things in terms of good sleep routine, keep going, it will get better.
If you drink again to get some sleep you will either have to keep doing it or face this issue at some point in the future. You're two weeks in so don't waste the pain only to have to do this again.

Good luck

It’s hard to stop drinking in one go so well done, but if you do have the odd drink or so don’t beat yourself up, tomorrow is another day.
Your body will take some time to get adjusted but so will your mind . I don’t agree about trying tablets of any sort - they can also become habit forming if not actually addictive . Just keep trying with your routine - don’t exercise too late or have a hot bath too late, it sounds like you are doing the right things - maybe a cooler bedroom? The thing that really helped me was learning breathing techniques ... plenty of info on breathing for sleeping if you google it. It helps during the night too. It will take time and you may not get the kind of sleep you did with alcohol but hopefully you should feel better ! You say ‘what’s the point ‘ - well the long term impact of that much alcohol is pretty awful ... good luck

Well done! I’m over 2 years sober and I promise you it’s totally worth it in the end but those first few months can be hard. The best advice I got was to stick it out for 3 months or 100 days, as that can be how long it takes to start really feeling the difference. 2 weeks is amazing but still very early days and you’re bound to be finding it hard right now. You can do it!

I recommend listening to an audiobook or a podcast as you try to fall asleep, it will mean you don’t mind lying awake if you have something to occupy your brain and you’ll find that you eventually gradually nod off.

Unreasabubble, sorry I missed that one sentence, chill out

Well done. What about meditation? I always breath really deeply right down to my stomach and exhale slowly it helps me pass out.
If my brain wonders I'll stop it then only focus on my breathing.

[quote Unreasonabubble]@Oftenithinkaboutit - name change fail? I am not the OP. I am just someone who reads the whole of the OP thread. 😜🤣🤣[/quote]

And yet you post that you’ve given up caffeine in the afternoon just like the OP

And started exercising earlier in the evening just like the OP

And neither has helped. Just like the OP

So do you too have a drinking problem and suffering from lack of sleep? Because you have us that information re caffeine and exercise but didn’t clarify why you would be doing it

Or were you quoting the OP?
Probably best to put in bold!

@Oftenithinkaboutit Ha ha ha ha ha! OMG!

Read the OP thread. I have just quoted her replies to what you suggested.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Best to bold when you quote

Read your posts.

Very clearly gives the impression that you are talking about yourself.

Either way…. You sound a bit uptight!

Have you thought about using a weighted blanket? I went through lots of horrible sleep periods (not due to quitting alcohol but then I never drink anyway really) but from day 1 of using it I found I would sleep much better. I could no longer toss and turn as easily and found it quite calming!

I'd ask the GP for a relaxing tablet for nights just for a few weeks.
You're doing really well, keep going.