Can’t Sleep Without Alcohol? 5 Alternatives to Alcohol for Sleep
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Get FREE daily coaching messages from Chris Scott to help you quit or cut down on alcohol in just 10 days. Chris Scott founded Fit Recovery in 2014 to help people from around the world dominate alcohol dependence and rebuild their lives from scratch. A former investment banker, he recovered from alcohol dependence using cutting-edge methods that integrate nutrition, physiology, and behavioral change. Today, Chris is an Alcohol Recovery Coach and the creator of an online course called Total Alcohol Recovery 2.0. Quitting drinking and not being able to sleep sucks… but now you have some strategies to help!
How can I fall asleep without drinking?
- Find a Routine and Stick to It: Establish regular intervals of sleep every night to train your mind and body.
- Find a Way to Relax: Find something – anything – that puts you at ease.
- Wear Yourself Out (in a Good Way): Many recovering substance abusers agree – Keeping busy is key.
When I find myself doing work after nightfall hits, a free program called flux on my Mac automatically dims the blue light that prevents the release of natural melatonin. Get minutes of sun each day.Sunlight soon after you wake up can help burn off excess melatonin in your system, helping to reset your biological rhythm. I do morning cardio in the sun every day before working, and take Vitamin D3 on rainy days. Of course, there are other helpful nutrients for alcohol recovery, like organic omega-3 fish oil and N-Acetyl Cysteine. However, these nutrients taste pretty terrible, so they’re not often found in blends. This supplement absolutely works to bring on sleep more quickly and to provide a deeper night’s rest. Shipping is free, and if Sleep Support doesn’t agree with your biochemistry or help you sleep better, you can return it for a full refund.
Overall benefits of three weeks without alcohol
Ever woken up with a complete memory blank after only a few drinks? Stimulants that disrupt sleep include caffeine and nicotine. According to a study published in Psychology, Health & Medicine, the average person loses more than one minute of sleep for every cigarette they smoke. Working how to fall asleep without alcohol on your sleep hygiene is another way to help prevent or reduce insomnia. These are changes you can make to your environment and routine to help promote sleep. Within the 12-step community, there's a little saying that describes the risk factors for relapse; it's called HALT.

Insomnia occurs when a person has persistent symptoms related to difficulty falling or staying asleep. It also includes consistent unrestful sleep that occurs despite adequate sleep. Insomnia is linked to detox because it is very common in those going through drug or alcohol withdrawal and in the early stages of recovery. According to a study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, the occurrence of insomnia is five times higher for those in early recovery than in the general population. Between 25 and 72 percent of people in treatment for an alcohol use disorder complain of sleep problems, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration . These sleep issues can include insomnia, disrupted sleep patterns, sleep apnea, or other sleep-disordered breathing.
The Human Sleep Cycles
Just as important is having access to professional addiction treatment programs. Contact Encore Outpatient Services today to learn more about our programs or if you have questions about admissions. In large part, the misunderstanding with alcohol and sleep stems from the fact that alcohol can make people feel drowsy or relaxed enough to fall asleep. In individuals who are consuming above the guidelines for a standard drink and becoming intoxicated, “sleep” may come even easier. During apnea-related breathing episodes – which can occur throughout the night – the sleeper may make choking noises. People with sleep apnea are also prone to loud, disruptive snoring. Some studies have suggested that alcohol contributes to sleep apnea because it causes the throat muscles to relax, which in turn creates more resistance during breathing.
Dr. Cusner demonstrates a results-driven culture by delivering a high-quality level of care and employee engagement. He has published and presented research articles in the field of organizational psychology at national healthcare conferences. Dr. Cusner is completing a book on organizational psychology in the healthcare field, which is expected to be published late early summer 2022. While serving in this position, Dr. Cusner brought accelerated growth to these facilities, while increasing employee retention and workflow optimization. Some people meditate to stay centered during the day, while others use meditation to help their sleep.
The Case Against Alcohol
Each sleep stage plays an essential function, but deep sleep and REM sleep are considered the most important stages for physical and mental restoration. Depending on how much you drank before, your sleep may bounce back within days to weeks. For me, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ it took a couple nights before I awoke before my alarm and hit the pool feeling like Michael Phelps. Even the healthiest sleepers wake a few times during the night, though for the most part you’re not awake long enough to remember them, Perlis says.

Treating a co-occurring disorder without treating someone’s alcohol dependency, and vice versa, can mean setting up a possible relapse before treatment has truly begun. Rarely is it the cravings of alcohol that drive those in recovery to relapse. It is, rather, the symptoms of withdrawal taking a physical and mental toll on the person quitting that pushes them back. Insomnia is a very treatable disorder and taking the time to treat it can mean the difference between recovery and relapse. While Insomnia can lead to a dependency on alcohol, the opposite, like many mental disorders, is also true. In general, the use of alcohol can prevent someone from falling into deep sleep, which is crucial to maintaining normal brain function, physical health, and emotional well-being. The toll this takes could already cause strain to one’s life and relationships.