Insomnia

[Crochetchica]

I have given up alcohol but cant sleep. how long does it take for your body to recover. I was drinking a bottle of wine every night. Thanks.

[Millie09]

Hi 👋, well done on giving up alcohol ! insomnia is one of the side effects unfortunately, along with many other things you can get .I remember giving up many years due to end stage cirrhosis, be patient , it will ease in time , your body has to now adjust, try not to go down the wanting sleeping tablets as that's just another possible addiction.

If any time your really struggling then go see your GP .

All the very best.. Linda

[Crochetchica in reply to Millie09]

Thanks.

[SoberDrunk1 in reply to Crochetchica]

Welcome to the forum. Avoiding caffeine and nicotine before bed will help. If you have to take them and wrap it up by early in the evening. Also a very brisk exercise before bed will help. Keeping your emotions under check will be a good option.

[SoberDrunk1 in reply to SoberDrunk1]

You may try low dose of Melatonin. I hear its not addictive.

[Jampacked]

Alcohol interferes with your REM sleep so you were sedated by alcohol but not really sleeping well. Now you have no sedative it is hard to sleep. This is really normal in the early weeks. I found magnesium supplement helped. Look for sleepy magnesium supplements. Cocoa ( made old fashioned way with milk) helps as milk helps you sleep. Normal sleep hygiene. Do exercise but don't exercise beyond 9pm, go to bed and get up at the same time everyday. Don't let yourself sleep more than 8 hours.Read a book or listen to a podcast before bed no screens! Remember the sleep you do get will be of a far higher quality than you had while drinking. It will come good in the end. Stick at it friend.

[DicCarlson]

Sleep teas w/Valerian Root, hops, camomile, etc. Also the supplements L-theanine, awhwagandha, and magnesium glycinate will help.