To my Loosid family….. historically I have a terrible time sleeping at night. I’ve been sober for 19 months now, and happy. I’ve tried AA and I feel that it wasn’t for me. I just realized that I should never drink again. For me it was that simple and it works. My sober friend on the other hand is deep into AA and claims that I can’t sleep because “I haven’t worked the steps”. Any comments?? Suggestions?? And yes I eat healthy and exercise on a regular basis.
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Is it your mind that keeps you up? Overthinking on the past…. As far as AA goes whatever works for you and you’re happy as well. Nothing is worse than white knuckling sobriety, at least for me I needed some kind of support system.
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My mind is overactive at times. But not about the past at all. Life in general can be stressful, whether you’re in recovery or not. I seriously am happy in sobriety. This is exactly why I got away from AA.
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Would a sleeping aide be out of the question for you?
I tried and it didn’t touch me. Plus I don’t want to be dependent on anything considering my past.
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"the steps" aren't necessarily gonna help you sleep. They are helpful, when you're ready though. I'm in AA and I really like it, but I seriously can't fkn stand when people say dumb shït like that. That's why I prefer the secular AA meetings. No zombies there.
You might just need some low dose sleep meds or try 10mg of melatonin.
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I appreciate it Taylor!! I don’t know why it upset me to begin with.
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I don’t think you necessarily need AA. I don’t think you need any one thing, or that there is some magical formula you need to find. I believe you just need to continue to grow and try new things. Have you tried therapy, going to the doctor, prayer and/ or meditation, journaling etc? I do go to AA and like it. I go to about 3 meetings a week, I have a sponsor, and I’ve worked (and still working) the steps. I met a bunch of good people in meetings. However, sometimes it becomes too much. I need to balance it out with what feels comfortable for me. It’s good that you are looking for a little something extra. Keep looking and you will find it
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Everyone has their own way. Some ppl go to numerical meeting a week, some once a week and some none. It’s all what works for you. Do you have good support? I’ve been exercising daily. Just small stuff or even just walk. It seems to help me sleep better but not all night. I do get up at least 2x a night but that’s way better than it was.
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I have found that nothing has insured me from drinking as much as intense work with others. The steps of AA are a design for living. I cleared the wreckage of my past by getting right with God, my fellows and sharing this with another person. Then I made amends for the harm I have caused those. I practice these principles and I’m completely aware of my defects of character. My selfish ways are far and few these days. I pray and meditate as best as I can and ultimately I help others. And this isn’t just limited to other alcoholics but to my family and friends and those in society. I’m no longer act is if I am the only thing that matters. I have also started looking into see where religious people are right. Keep up the good work.
One more thing
I waited 18 months before I did my 4th step inventory and was completely miserable with life sober….
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As far as support, it’s me, myself and I. I got myself into it, but I got myself out of it. Honestly I’m fine with that. I have no problem asking for help when I need it though.
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There’s a line in the Big Book about the rules not being prescriptive, but rather a guide for what worked for them. I have never gone to say that I don’t need AA. I find every meeting that I attend to be valuable. But I’m not a frequent attendee and I have found a path that works for me. That said, I always know AA is there and will welcome me when I go.
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I've had sober time in the past without AA. However recently I keep stumbling on my own so I joined to hopefully keep myself on track.
My sleep has never been good either but my Dr put me on prasozin and has helped a lot.
I hope you find something that works! If you are up and cannot sleep I did find an AA zoom group that I enjoy, and they have meetings every hour on the hour. If you need I could send you the link.
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I tried AA for over 3 years. Never got sober. I did give it up and now I’m happy to say I’m 9 months sober and still rolling. Surrounded myself with positive people. And don’t overthink the simple things…that always kept me up. Good luck my friend!
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As a person who is in AA and can’t sleep for sh*t.. could AA help you out? Potentially. Like any other way to figure out what works best for your body to get a consistent night’s sleep, it’s worth a try. But I’ve never heard someone say AA was the thing that magically helped them sleep every night.
I think whatever works for you, works for you. As someone who is active in AA with a sponsor/sponsee, I know there’s a lot of “AA is the only way” in AA and I honestly hate it. I have a great friend who is sober without AA. Did the steps work for me and help find peace with myself? Definitely! But that’s a you decision. Being guilted to do something isn’t the way, so ultimately your path to a fulfilling, sober life is up to you.
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I am an AAer and I e seen the benefits of it. But with that being said this is your journey and no one can tell you how to navigate it. I do more than just AA in my recovery journey, there are a lot of resources for recovery out there, with that being said I do believe in the 12 steps and it is my foundation for my recovery, but there is a community on a app called lionrock that I use and the other meetings besides the AA and NA meetings have helped me just as much as the steps .
I just think if you worked the steps, you’d benefit from them and live a fuller life. Help with sleep, who knows
Personally, I have found that working the steps have provided me with great relief in dealing with my past that drinking has caused. I’ve been able to work through my traumas, resentments, regrets and take an inventory of myself to better understand my drinking.
However AA isn’t for everyone and isn’t the only solution for alcoholics, I need it but that doesn’t mean it works for everyone.
The only membership for AA is a desire to stop drinking, you don’t have to work the program to attend a meeting. So if you are curious about working AA give the meetings another shot! If it still isn’t for you, then you know.
Congrats of your sobriety, one day at a time, keep up the good work!
People who claim AA is the only way are missing the point.
Plenty of people get sober without AA and plenty of people in AA are not sober.
It's your journey, go through it however you want.
As for sleep, you need to consider what is keeping you up and address that.
Too much energy, take up exercise.
Racing thoughts, start journalling (I find getting the thought out of my head makes it easier to sleep)
Boredom? Are you staying up watching mind numbing TV, Netflix or TicTok... Turn it off.
You got this! And if you change your mind, AA will still be there.