Humans are creatures of habit and when it comes to sleep, even more so. It can be difficult to divorce oneself from the habit of consuming alcohol to aid in falling asleep—especially for those in recovery from an alcohol use disorder. CBT-I typically involves identifying and challenging any unhelpful beliefs or behaviors that may be interfering with your ability to fall asleep naturally. A therapist will work with you to develop personalized strategies and techniques to improve sleep quality and establish healthier sleep habits. This therapy can help you break free from the reliance on alcohol as a sleep aid and develop long-term sustainable sleep practices. Stress and anxiety can significantly disrupt sleep patterns.
By seeking professional help, you can embark on a journey towards healthier and more restful sleep without relying on alcohol. Sleep medications should be used judiciously and only for a short https://ecosoberhouse.com/ period of time. They can help regulate sleep patterns and assist in transitioning away from alcohol as a sleep aid. It’s crucial to follow the recommended dosage and consult with a healthcare professional to minimize the risk of dependency or other potential side effects. If you think you can’t sleep without alcohol, your best bet is to switch your reliance on alcohol for something else you can do each night, like drinking a cup of tea.
It can leave you feeling tired, irritable, and unfocused,” explains Dr Perry. Dealing with the temporary discomfort of insomnia can turn your health around in the long term, and ultimately, it can lead you to a more rested and healthier life. Yet, plenty of evidence suggests, lifestyle adjustments, practicing good sleep hygiene, and seeking professional help can counteract this. Your dietary choices significantly affect the quality of your sleep. Consuming balanced meals throughout the day, avoiding caffeine, sugar, and heavy meals close to bedtime can go a long way in improving sleep quality. For those with a serious addiction and years of heavy drinking behind them, it’s expected that the insomnia may last longer.
Gillian Tietz is the host of the Sober how to fall asleep without alcohol Powered podcast and recently left her career as a biochemist to create Sober Powered Media, LLC. When she quit drinking in 2019, she dedicated herself to learning about alcohol’s influence on the brain and how it can cause addiction. Today, she educates and empowers others to assess their relationship with alcohol. Gill is the owner of the Sober Powered Media Podcast Network, which is the first network of top sober podcasts. After sipping that glass of wine or beer, you might find yourself drifting to sleep faster.
Using alcohol to sleep might seem like a good idea at first, but after a while you notice the long-term problems. Unfortunately, if you need alcohol to sleep, you may struggle long-term. Increased insomnia takes a toll on someone in recovery. Without proper treatment, returning to alcohol use may seem to be the only solution. In a normal circadian rhythm, hormones are released at certain times throughout the day. Alcohol interrupts this process, causing abnormalities in how circadian hormones are released.
Getting quality sleep is an important element in relapse prevention. Just as important is having access Sober living home to professional addiction treatment programs. Contact Encore Outpatient Services today to learn more about our programs or if you have questions about admissions. There are many reasons that insomnia or disturbed sleep can be a problem.