I can't sleep!?

Okay,


I am 23 years old and I am an alcoholic. I am not seeking help for my drinking, at this point I am just not ready to make THAT change however.. I cannot sleep. EVER, some nights I wake up 7-10 times, or sometimes I have these weird experiences where it kinda feels like Im sleeping somewhat even dreaming but Im still awake..? I have tried some sleep aids.. just the ones from shoppers drug mart and they did the reverse effect! they made me ridiculously goofy and I went into panick mode. I was literally restless and my mind was racing, heart pounding, profuse sweating, racking my brain for things to worry about. Are these symptoms of an anxiety disorder? or is the alcoholism affecting my sleep? any suggestions as to how I can get a sound sleep? Im extremely lonely, and some nights will get up and have a drink just to go back to sleep for another hour.. I repeat this throughout the night 7-8 times... Please don't tell me to go to AA or that I need to straighten out my life..

I can't sleep!?
Alcohol do affect sleep quality as alcohol has stimulate your body cells and keep you awaken.





I am glad to hear you say you need to straighten out your life, I am sure you can do so. Give yourself some confident.





If stop drinking right away, it will be tough to do so as you should have been a while drinking. So it should be step by step by reducing the alcohol amount. Gradually you can see your improvement of sleep after your alcohol reduce.





I am waiting to hear your good news.





Besides, I am doing some research and studies on Sleep Apnea,Insomnia,Snoring,OSA,Sleepless,Nar... Topics, if you would like to get further information, please feel free to visit my blog at http://sleepapnea-insomnia.blogspot.com
Reply:well i had son start this way and hes still drinking. but when he was in high school he was seeing doctor and getting meds to sleep and he was ok. the thing is there is severe depression and stuff in our famiy and dirnking leads to more of the same. that is why heck if you dont' want to quit don't i am not trying to tell you how to live but when someone comes to depend on you what will you do? fold? its sad that you have so much going and can't help yourself. take care.
Reply:it is probably partially the alcohol giving you trouble sleeping. have you tried smoking marijuana? it increases melatonin in the brain 1000% it helps a lot of people go to sleep
Reply:well you will have to make an important decision.





1. Live with your sleep problem and suffer


2. Stop drinking as much and sleep better


3. Exercise more and eat more to soak up the alcohol





I would go with 2 and 3 too.
Reply:Stop drinking. I'm not telling you or demanding you, I'm stating a suggestion. x_x
Reply:Sleep is so important. I know how miserable it can be without it.


So I heard say you don't sleep as well with alcohol in your system, but it sounds like you are physically dependent on Alcohol, meaning that if you dont have it, you start to withdraw (the shakes, dreaming while awake, etc). The anxiety can be attributed to the drinking also, but maybe you drink because your anxious?


I think you should go to see a doctor, who can help you get a good night rest and help you physically feel better. Once you feel a little better, maybe you can get some prespective on other issues your having.


I hope you feel better and I hope you find a better friend than the juice.
Reply:I work 7 nights a week, %26amp; so I have to have a battle plan to sleep during the daylight hours. When everyone else in the normal world is awake %26amp; functioning.


I use two kinds of teas, 1 is called Tension Tamer, the other is Sleepy Time made by Celestial Seasonings Co.


I also use ambient music, or space music. Some people prefer nature souinds (waves on the shore, etc).


I drink the tea, w/ both types in the same cup, then I get my boom-box right next to my head, %26amp; play the music / sounds.


Not too sure how tea will be in connection w/ booze, so you may want to ask someone about that.
Reply:Sorry, but you're an alcoholic and the booze is messing with your ability to get a good night sleep, find decent friends, etc.





Like it or not, you're not going get the advice you want from me.


But you'll get the advice you need, such as...





Like it or not, alcohol is holding you back %26amp; destroying your life,


one drink at a time.


Like it or not, you need to seek help for your drinking problem,


one prayer at a time.


Like it or not, AA is probably your best bet to find that help,


one day at a time.
Reply:See insomnia treatments, in section 3, at ezy build, below. Use one of the relaxation methods, in bed, after lights out, on pages 2, 11, 2.c, or 2.i, but they can take some time to learn, (progressive muscular relaxation excepted) so learn and become proficient in their use during the day; an alternative is to use the EFT, in section 53, and pages 2.q, and 2.o, saying to yourself: "Even though I currently have a sleep disorder, I deeply and completely accept myself." (or choose your own wording) while you use the acupressure tapping. Find out which works best for you, in the daylight hours, so you will be prepared, come bedtime. For many people, a good idea is to develop a set "wind down" routine for the last hour before bedtime, so your unconscious mind learns that it is time to put thinking aside, and prepare for mindfulness, (awareness, without cogitation/purposeful thought) or the EFT, in preparation for sleep, but the idea with mindfulness is to not even think about sleeping: just drift off, naturally, during exercising those techniques. http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris PANIC ATTACKS: View the techniques for control of panic attacks, in section 8, at ezy build, below. Begin by holding your breath for 5, or 10 seconds: this will give you the confidence to realise that YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR BREATHING, but not pass out, or die (your autonomic nervous system resumes breathing, if unconscious). Understand panic attacks, and what triggers them, in your life (if it is unresolved anxiety, see section 6). The paper bag method works for most people: try it. If you are fairly suggestible, the following are reliable: http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/


Your last alternative is psychotherapy, to address its fundamental cause: read section 1, and examine the http://www.1-800-therapist.org/ website, and use the locators, and phone book. I used to suffer from panic attacks, until I questioned what had changed recently in my life, to trigger them? I suggest that you learn, then practise the controlled breathing technique, until competent, then employ it, at the very first sign of a panic attack. Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from panic attacks, I deeply and completely accept myself." ~~~ Alcohol interferes with natural sleep, (much experience!) because it induces sleep, artificially, so I can't see this getting much better, in the short term, until you tackle your problem with it, unfortunately. See section 52, on alcohol abuse, and the following, when you finally get sick of it, and ARE ready. ~~~ These calls are all FREE! Be sure to dial the "1" first.





Adolescent Crisis Intervention %26amp; Counseling Nineline


1-800-999-9999





Abortion Information


800-772-9100





Post-Abortion Project Rachel


1-800-5WE-CARE





Adoptions- Rosie Adoptions -(if you are pregnant)


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AIDS National Hotline


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Al-Anon/Alateen Hotline


Hope %26amp; Help for young people who are the relatives %26amp; friends of a problem drinker.


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TeenLine


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Specializing in gay and lesbian youth suicide prevention


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Voices In Action


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Listings for treatment %26amp; support of incest %26amp; child sexual abuse.





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Youth Crisis Hotline


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Reply:despite what people think alcohol causes sleep problems worse.and unhealthy sleep makes you sick more in a vicious cycle also your symptoms are mixed with anxiety disorders you know that anxiety is a hidden cause for alcoholism because at first you feel better with it but in long run it makes it worse so i think you know what to do also try swimming,water induce a sense of equilibrium and calm.
Reply:I would say maybe you're in the middle of a manic episode. Search for mania and bipolar disorder and see if maybe those symptoms describe you. Personally I've found heavy drinking only makes these things worse but at times that was the only way I could fall asleep.
Reply:I am not going to lecture you. Obviously you already know the reasons why you should seek help for the drinking, and if you know hat you're not ready to do that, then you're right, do not waste your time or the time of the people who would be trying in vain to help you. As for the sleeping issues, some sleep aids will have the reverse on you when combined with alcohol. Dangerous, so do not do that anymore. The are chemicals secreted by your own brain that aid in sleep. one is malatonin.........it is cheap, natural and relatively safe. I AM NOT A DOCTOR AND NOT TELLING YOU WHAT TO DO. I m just sharing info that may be of interest to you.


Good luck.
Reply:Same here. except that I'm not an alcoholic. U cant do anything. There is nothing u can do..
Reply:Alcohol will negatively impact your sleep by depriving you of Stages 3 and 4 sleep. Resorting to drugs, 'sleep aids', will do more harm then good and only further ruin your sleeping system. Go here and read! http://getqualitysleep.blogspot.com/
Reply:Maybe u should learn some ways to overcome your insomnia problem through hypnosis at my profile.