Still struggling with getting any consistent sleep. I cannot remember the last time I had more than an hour or so of straight sleep. I always sleep about an hour, wake up, back to sleep an hour, wake up. It's crazy. I stay away from doctors for obvious reasons. The last thing I need or want is a new pill to get addicted to. I work so hard everyday to stay clean and sober I refuse to fall into a new prescription drug trap.
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Having restful sleep can be so difficult. Have you tried melatonin? It’s over the counter and was recommended to me by my addictions nurse practitioner. I take 10mg as that dose is long acting meaning you fall asleep and stay asleep. I set a really strict bedtime routine by no phone, tv or noise 1 hour before bed. I usually just relax by being in the quiet. I take the melatonin 30 minutes before bed then do a sleep meditation. I have the Calm app and there’s lots of great guided meditations and you don’t need to look at the screen. I’m out cold sleeping quickly. It took practice, patience and discipline to get it down but I’m now getting a solid 6 hours every night. I hope this might help you some!
Hi Karen Thank you for this information. Yes I do all the same things 
Melatonin helps me fall asleep but I never stay asleep. Meditation apps. Deep breathing, the whole thing. I wake up an hour later and start all over. Minus the melatonin of course. I take 1 10mg about 1/2 an hour before bed.
One hundred and ten mg?!?! That’s got to be like 8-10 pills, right? How long have you been sober? In general, it gets better with time but, I didn’t truly start sleeping like a baby until I started to clear the wreckage of my past and my conscious through the Steps. Now I can be at peace during the day and at night when I go to bed. Not sure if you have a lot on your mind but prayer about things preoccupying my thoughts has helped too
No 10 milligrams not 110
That's one 10mg not 110
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Sober over 7 years. It's not always thoughts. Sometimes it is. Other times I'll wake up from just feeling uncomfortable. Other times it's nothing. Just wake up and wide awake. Thank you
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Ahhh my bad lol. 1 10mg makes much more sense. Congrats on 7 years! Yeah, I have no clue what that could be without seeing a doctor. Maybe seeing a psychiatrist with an understanding of addiction may be beneficial
Thank you
Dion, try counting your breath as you lay there in bed. Count on the exhales 1-30 and then start over when you reach 30. Focus on the air as you inhale and exhale. Slow down your breathing as you go.
I struggled with sleep for a many years and needed a natural way to stop my addict mind from cannibalizing me. This method works every time.
Thank you Danny. Yes I do that as well. I have no problems falling asleep. It's staying asleep I have a problem with. So I'll wake up after about an hour of sleep then meditation breathing etc. fall back asleep. Wake back up an hour later and it continues on like that. I basically wake up every hour.
Magnesium citrate
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Dion, I’m glad you have this tool and use it. For me my sleep patterns are in phases, ups & downs. Hang in there.
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Thank you
Since you aren’t in early recovery……Have you had a sleep study? Sleep apnea could very well be the culprit.
I’m a nurse and lack of sleep over time can lead to depression, heart disease, stroke, accidents, etc. So
Many people have this complaint only to find out they stop breathing multiple times during the night and never get into REM sleep.
Go see your family doctor for a complete physical and ask that he/she send you for a sleep study. This absolutely could be life changing. Best wishes and let us know how it turns out for you.
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Thank you. I will look into this. 
I know you don’t want to take another pill so just a suggestion. I take Zquill sometimes to help me sleep. It’s just Benadryl but it helps me. Just a thought and wishing you more restful nights of sleep
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Thank you. I have tried many things including zquill. Some help me fall asleep. None help me stay asleep.
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