Comments on: Effects of Alcohol on Sleep

By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:38:21 +0000

I have spent the last hour or so reading this site. Not just this section on sleep, but all of it, and I have to say, I’M INSPIRED.

I was arrogant enough to think that I could control what I was drinking and that , if I wanted to , could stop any time. How wrong I was !

It’s now 20 past midnight and I have to be up for work in 5 hours but I haven’t finished my drink yet. Surely I can’t go to bed without finishing my drink ? can I ?

That’s my attitude most nights. if I don’t have the full amount then I wont be able to sleep.

I drink lager mostly. 4 litres per night, every night for the past 20 years or so. It has become so easy to do that I barely get merry off it any more so at weekends I will add a couple of bottles of cider to it.

Looking back. I have gone from size 34 waist to size 42 and am 4stone over weight just from drinking lager.

I have never attended an AA meeting but I am seriously considering it after reading this site.

I would like to wish everyone the very best of luck in their personal battle and thank everyone for inspiring me to start mine.

By: Paul D

Paul D — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:04:13 +0000

I have been a binge drinker since i was 18 now 40!

I find the first night off the drink i cant sleep.

My Doctor says i have an anxiety disorder but i wonder whether my nervous problems are down to alcohol withdrawal?

Sometimes i feel i need a drink so i am less edgy and not thinking too much.

Research says i might have low gaba?

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:48:02 +0000

Louise. Firstly you should never hate yourself. That is just another reason for you to think it is ok to have a drink as you have a low opinion of yourself. Most of us have a long family history of drink problems and thats why we never saw it coming. Some people can drink socially and enjoy a drink. I on the other hand can not. I only drink for one reason. To get drunk. The more i drink the more depressed i get. I am starting AA again after 3 failed attempts. I will get there though and so will you.

By: louise

louise — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:29:12 +0000

I am scared to face the reality of being an alcoholic. It runs in my family and I binge drink. I am very depressed and I hate myself.

By: BEVERLEY

BEVERLEY — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:45:26 +0000

I’ve not drunk any alcohol since 16 January, i was on Librium which stopped the excessive sweating and anxiety, when i was drinking my stomach was massive i looked 9 mths pregnant, since the 16 Jan I’ve lost a stone in weight, my appetites returned but im craving sweet things like chocolate etc, the last thing i wanna do is pile the weight back on im already size 18 . As for my sleep pattern well i cant get to sleep its usually around 5am & i’m back up at 7.30am to take my son to school. Even though i don’t miss or crave the alcohol i do miss that ‘merry drunk feeling’ so i got some diazepams of a friend. Not good i know but it must be safer than starting drinking again. just hoping i don’t weaken n drink again just to get that same feeling.

By: BEVERLEY

BEVERLEY — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:34:25 +0000

@oh ma gorth!! …. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA that was classic well said… ^5

By: Danie

Danie — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:19:26 +0000

Lack of sleep,nightmares, i know the feeling,mine takes about a week to stabilize
It is only TIME and abstinance that helps for me. Good luck,and never give up.

By: Wanting Help

Wanting Help — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:08:11 +0000

Wow, I made it! 4am and wow I am freaked out now. Lightning just went crazy outside with a storm….almost scares me into a drink. I am so thankful to get through what some say is devils hour. I tossed and turned and got up thinking it had to be at least 4am to find it to be 3:01 and have had a bottle of brandy next to me…this is my first post and all because of the exorcist dreams, seeing 666 on my phone, and death on my text on my phone by accident, and now being very ill to the point of having blood in my urine so bad that I went to the doctor and am trying to get better. I want to quit so bad, and do not drink hard stuff for pleasure yet it just takes away all the bad so fast that it is hard not to just drink it. So now with my heart racing I just wanted to say that I am freaking out and think this maybe my first recognized dt???

By: EstelleJ

EstelleJ — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:15:50 +0000

It is amazing how often insomnia and alcohol problems go hand in hand.

I am an insomniac too and have used alcohol to sleep.

What can help, is to take no stimulants with caffeine at all. That means chocolate, coke drinks, tea and coffee. Even tonic water has quinine which we keep you awake.

You may be like me and very sensitive to caffeine.

It has also helped me to go for an half hour brisk walk.

I love tea and coffee so it is difficult for me, but they are just another addiction.

By: fergus

fergus — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:45:02 +0000

I just wish I could have a macic formula to get to sleep that did not include alcohol. when I dont drink I have to take some sort of medication in order to sleep. I do not remember the last time I actually had a night sleep without anything whatsoever ? I know you make excuses as to why you cannot sleep without having a drink, but it is true, isn’t it ? Anyone any advice ?