Downer Junkie Asks:How Am I Supposed to Sleep?
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One of my huge problems has always been that when I lay down to try and go to sleep…I think and think and think. Thoughts pop into my head about certain things I should have done, things I’m supposed to do, things I have no business worrying about but can’t help it. If you read my story you can see that this seems to be a big part of my drug use.
This was a major reason I would self medicate at night. I always wanted to just drift off to sleep without having to think about anything. I tried counting and deep breathing. But that didn’t work. Drugs worked.
But now what? I’m not taking drugs anymore, I’m in recovery. So do I just go back to worrying myself to sleep? No. Just like anything else, being able to sleep properly without drugs took work. I spent many, many sleepless nights my first couple of weeks in recovery just sitting up and watching TV all night. This was driving me crazy.
I took the advice of a counselor and started a bedtime routine. I didn’t have much of a routine when I was using. Usually I passed out on the couch with my clothes on. Glamorous, I know. But a bedtime routine? Yes. A bedtime routine. I start my routine by having a coup of sleepytime tea. Then I tried something really out of the ordinary for myself…bedtime hygiene. It seems kind of gross but when I was using I never even thought of brushing my teeth or washing my face before bed. Like I said, I usually just passed out. Then I usually write in my journal for a little while and then read.
Reading has become a big part of me being able to fall asleep. I suggest it to anyone who is having trouble sleeping. Get yourself on a new nighttime routine that involves positive, relaxing things. Stick to it even if it doesn’t work right away. Soon you will let your body know it is time to unwind, relax and drift away to sleep.
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April 6th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
[...] site, which will remain nameless, I’m reading a comment that someone left about having trouble sleeping due to being really early in recovery and what is the add that takes up half the page…Advil [...]
April 29th, 2007 at 1:47 am
dear sir
i had a addict to tramadol about 30 gr/day
i have leaved that about 15 days ago but i cannot sleep in night please guide me a choice sleeping drug
regards
April 29th, 2007 at 5:44 am
It’s actually Dear Mam - but you didn’t know that, so I’ll let it slide this time.
If I can’t take drugs to sleep…no one can!
Taking a drug for sleeplessness is just a temporary fix. If it is your thoughts keeping you awake you need to find a way to quiet those thoughts.
For me, reading is the only thing that helps. I read every night until I can’t keep my eyes open. Then once I put the book down, I concentrate on my breathing and I drift off to Lala land.
August 17th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Erin,
How many sleepless nights did you have before you could finally sleep? I went 3 nights of insomnia and also thought I was going out of my mind. My doctor prescribed me Ambien CR and I was finally able to sleep on the 4th day by taking it but I ended up getting terribly sick and missed all of the next week of work.
I felt so terrible and knew if I couldn’t sleep I’d lose my mind. I still have to take Ambien to sleep at night. I have no vacation left now that I can take but would love any suggestions people have to help me wean off of a sleep aid. I think that is why I still feel so bad and have no energy.
Does the sleepy time tea really help? I think I’ll stop on the way home and get some and try that tonight.
August 17th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I can say for myself I didn’t want to get into the whole sleeping pill thing. I know myself pretty good and knew that I would probably abuse them if given the chance.
Like I said I got myself on a strict bedtime routine which I got used to pretty quickly. Nighttime tea which I found worked for me (even if just mentally), Night time hygiene. Sad to say that this was lacking for a long time while I was actively addicted.
Next I read…and read and read until I can’t keep my eyes open. That’s basically how I got through those beginning months.
Now, I don’t have to think about it so much. I just do my nighttime routine and I usually fall asleep pretty quickly.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:27 am
[...] sleep at night. Take myself for instance. I was reading some of my older posts and found one titled Downer Junky Asks How Am I Supposed To Sleep?. This was about two months into my recovery and I was finding it hard to fall asleep at night [...]