Thanks for this! And absolutely. I didn’t end up drinking because I know it’s not a long term solution. But going on 48 hours of no sleep with meds and all of the other standard sleep hygiene recommendations, I felt like I was losing my mind.
Yea it's definitely a challenge. I did an inpatient program and was awake for almost 3 weeks. If anything I remember that experience and use it as motivation for never wanting to put myself through that again. Stick with it and it will get better. You got this.
Paige, I suffered from insomnia for many years. I used to cure it with booze. I used melatonin. I used trazodone. I used Benadryl and NyQuil and zzzzquil and I stopped with screens and I read before bed.
And then I found a solution. And I shared with you my solution. Because my insomnia was fixed without drugs does not mean I never struggled.
I'm right there with you. Struggled since my 20"s.. I've literally tried everything out there. Especially women my age with the hormone thing happening. Recently I discovered healing frequency music. Go on YouTube and plug in alpha wave 432Hz healing sleep music. Since I quit drinking my insomnia became debilitating. This meditation music has helped me in so many ways. It's helped with cravings, anxiety, and the immensely difficult scenario I'm in as caregiver for my father. He is at home on hospice and I care for him and my disabled mother. I tried to screen shot it but me and technology steuggle...lol hang in there, but know we understand 
. Not sleeping is literally the worst. This music is like a brain massage.....
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I can’t wait to try that out, thank you!!
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Np, good luck!
I want to congratulate you on your 5 months. Us alcoholics are both mentally and bodily sick in the beginning. It's going to take some time for your body to go through the changes.
You've been used to functioning, for I don't know how long with having alcohol in your system, probably every day if it was anything like me. Now you're not putting that alcohol in your body at all, so it's going to take some time for your body to adjust.
We didn't get this way overnight, and we're not going to get better overnight. I've heard it said that it's 10 mi into the woods and 10 Mi back out.
Keep doing what you're doing. It does get better. And I hope you're going to meetings and getting through the steps because that's going to help out a lot. The 12 Steps of AA transformed my life and the obsession to drink was removed.
I haven't read this whole thing, but have you ever had a "sleep study"?
Going to a sleep clinic is on my very immediate to do list
Yeah, and I got to a lot of meetings. In early recovery I went during the day and to really late ones here in NYC. On Zoom they're 24/7. That might knock you out...
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And please don't pick up, Paige. You'll just have to start all over, and that's if you make it back; because many of US do not.
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Hey Paige! I’m an insomniac which is actually how I started abusing alcohol. About ten years ago as well.
Look into ashwaghanda. I double magnesium because my body won’t rest. I live in Canada and my goal is to alcohol free, so I have found edibles to be very helpful when I’m taking a break. But if that’s not your thing, I do just listen to meditation with the actual goal of finishing it.
Jason Stephenson healing meditation is amazing for me. I actually go in with the goal to not sleep, but to just listen. Aaaannd I eventually sleep. Staying asleep is my issue. I’m working on sleep maintenance. Hoping you catch some great Zzz’s tonight
I got some magnesium a few hours after making this post! I’ve been using it the past few days and can feel it helping a bit.
I’ll be sure to look into ashwaghanda and your meditation recs, ty!
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Ashwaghanda lowers cortisol so it’s good overall. I do hope it helps with sleep! It’s one of my fav supplements. My one thing is the more you think about sleep, the worse it is. It’s the worst! But just be proud of yourself! You’re doing something incredibly hard and are a trailblazer into a better future. You got it girl!
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It’s often the case in early sobriety, but my insomnia raised its ugly head later. It was when I had to move to a larger city and my wife died suddenly. We both had over three and a half years.
Oops you mentioned magnesium and I realized earlier today that I am out of mine. I also take melatonin. Plus I take naps; prn
Have you had blood work done to confirm you are not deficient in anything? I'd start there then work on integrating the organic suggestions here. Minerals like Magnesium and exercise, breath work (vids on YouTube), etc.