Aa
Advice Needed
Is there anything besides melatonin that will help me be able to sleep. Tried it last night with no results. Or am I kidding myself that anything will help on day 4 and I just need to suffer so I remember not to go through this again?
I use this powder mix called Natural Calm it is a magnesium supplement so it helps with the rls as well. I used it while detoxing after about a week with the awful rls. I still use it today when I am having an anxious evening as it is and anti-stress mix as well. I found it at my natural food store. It works wonders!
Hi well we use ''lemon balm'' it relaxes you as well as permots sleep you can pick it up at a health food store we often mix it with ''sleepy time tea'' also at your health food store many of the grocery stores cary the tea that and time will heal you just hang in there no one has ever died from lack of sleep even though it makes you feel like it keep posting for support.......................Gnarly.................................
I have had trouble with insomnia all my life, so detoxing from pills made it worse. So I took Valerian and Melatonin and still no luck. So I just kept taking them and resigned myself to being clean, sober, and a sleepless zombie.
Then I would fall asleep for maybe an hour or two. Weeks passed, then maybe I went up to three hours a night..
Next I gave up on Valerian and melatonin, and lost the energy to worry about it any more.
It was unplanned, but that did it. When I stopped worrying and left the issue totally alone, sleep returned. In fact better than it ever was.
Its hard, climbing into bed with no worrisome expectations. It is part of my program trying to keep the gift of sleep without trying.
Kinda like my personal belief that you can't think yourself clean. Its bigger than me, requiring help from others and power outside myself.
Then I would fall asleep for maybe an hour or two. Weeks passed, then maybe I went up to three hours a night..
Next I gave up on Valerian and melatonin, and lost the energy to worry about it any more.
It was unplanned, but that did it. When I stopped worrying and left the issue totally alone, sleep returned. In fact better than it ever was.
Its hard, climbing into bed with no worrisome expectations. It is part of my program trying to keep the gift of sleep without trying.
Kinda like my personal belief that you can't think yourself clean. Its bigger than me, requiring help from others and power outside myself.
You are doing good. Great idea with the drive and music. Really another week ish and you will be in a new place. Keep it up. You are going really good!!!
And if sleep doesn't come, then don't stress. Get up and out in more music, read a book or magazine, surf the net, watch a sitcom TV Land. Not dwelling on it may help sleep come. Even if you fall asleep on the couch.
And if sleep doesn't come, then don't stress. Get up and out in more music, read a book or magazine, surf the net, watch a sitcom TV Land. Not dwelling on it may help sleep come. Even if you fall asleep on the couch.
Sex, exercise, do not take benedryl it could make RLS worse. Dark choc, nuts, melatonin, a good vitamin, wellbutrin is helping me..good luck!!
Thank you I have actually been looking for some type of relaxation method. Gonna give the melatonin another try and use your relaxation method.
I got in my car and just drove with the music on for an hour and half I think. It really helped a lot! When I got home I drank water and it actually tasted good instead of having to choke down sips. I am Starving! Gonna eat something light and then try sleep. Pray for me to get sleep please. I need many prayers right now. I know I have rough days ahead but I desperately needed a little glimmer of hope. Thank you to all the kind words and incredible encouragement I have been receiving. Soon I hope to be able to help others.
You can always go to AA meetings too. Addiction is addiction. Many like AA better. There are more AA meetings too. Daily. Several times a day. Go find one!!!
Passion Flower is supposed to work. There is a OTC called Rapid Sleep that some have used. It is natural from what has been said.
Benadryl has worked for me. A bath always makes me tired too. Sometimes getting to sleep isn't always the prob with me. It is staying a sleep or falling back to sleep when I wake up that gets me.
Benadryl has worked for me. A bath always makes me tired too. Sometimes getting to sleep isn't always the prob with me. It is staying a sleep or falling back to sleep when I wake up that gets me.
Getting Some Sleep During Opiate Withdrawal
Natural Remedy's -
There are also other alternatives to sleep aid medications that can help during opiate withdrawal. One thing that works well for a lot of people is the use of hot baths, hot tubs, and trips to the sauna. These methods help relax the body and can be great for dealing with the chills and aches/pains. Exercising is another option but is something that can be quite difficult to do when going through withdrawals. When one exercises, their body releases endorphins just like how our bodies do when we use our drug of choice. Not only is exercise healthy for you, it will also often leave you feeling tired at the end of the day. Some decaffeinated tea, warm milk, or hot coco before bed can be soothing for some as well and is great for helping with the chills. Coffee isn't a bad idea during the day to get you up and going while withdrawing but should be avoided close to bedtime. The great thing about these methods are that they are not addicting or habit forming.
There are also several relaxation techniques that can be beneficial as well. When I first heard of these, I thought they were just a bunch of B.S. but must admit they did actually help a little after finally giving them a chance. Relaxation techniques include breathing exercises, mediating, and listening to those audio tapes that play peaceful sounds or music. Lets face it, when you're withdrawing you're basically willing to try anything to help yourself get through those rough times. I also find creating and sticking to a going to sleep and waking up schedule helps a lot to with sleep. What I mean by this is to not have nights were you're up until 3 A.M. and wake up the next day at 11 A.M. then following the previous day by going to bed early and waking up early. Make a schedule and stick to it.
A breathing exercise that I have found to help with not only getting to sleep but relaxing works by lowering your pulse and clearing your mind. For some people, this works well while others may not notice much of a difference. It takes a little practice to get used to as well. It can also help when you have a panic attack or are frustrated. This breathing exercise is called the 4-7-4 technique and works as follows:
Sit down in a chair with your back straight and hands together meeting at your stomach.
Your fingers should interlock at your stomach with the backside (opposite of your palm side) of your hands facing out.
Inhale and take a 4 second continuous breath of fresh air and hold it in for 7 seconds.
After holding your breath for 7 seconds, release your breath for 4 seconds continuously
Continue this 3-5 times
Another thing that may help is simply reading a book, surfing the web, or watching a little television before bed. It will help keep your mind busy while giving you some entertainment to pass the time and relax. However, don't just sit there for a few hours watching television, surfing the web, or playing video games as this can have the opposite effect. Try doing something that you really enjoy that doesn't take up a lot of your energy. Having a good environment around you before you go to sleep can make quite the difference so make sure you're in a relaxed, quiet, and comfortable environment each night.
Herbal Methods -
There are also some natural herbs out there that are said to help with sleep. While I have never tried any of these herbs, the ones I most commonly hear about are Valerian Root and St. John’s Wort, which can usually be found at stores like GNC or Vitamin World. There are other herbal remedy's out there as well. I have also heard Lavender can help. Don't look at these herbs as something you shouldn't talk to your doctor about as some of them carry side effects or can have adverse effects with other medications. As always, be smart and talk with your doctor!
Natural Remedy's -
There are also other alternatives to sleep aid medications that can help during opiate withdrawal. One thing that works well for a lot of people is the use of hot baths, hot tubs, and trips to the sauna. These methods help relax the body and can be great for dealing with the chills and aches/pains. Exercising is another option but is something that can be quite difficult to do when going through withdrawals. When one exercises, their body releases endorphins just like how our bodies do when we use our drug of choice. Not only is exercise healthy for you, it will also often leave you feeling tired at the end of the day. Some decaffeinated tea, warm milk, or hot coco before bed can be soothing for some as well and is great for helping with the chills. Coffee isn't a bad idea during the day to get you up and going while withdrawing but should be avoided close to bedtime. The great thing about these methods are that they are not addicting or habit forming.
There are also several relaxation techniques that can be beneficial as well. When I first heard of these, I thought they were just a bunch of B.S. but must admit they did actually help a little after finally giving them a chance. Relaxation techniques include breathing exercises, mediating, and listening to those audio tapes that play peaceful sounds or music. Lets face it, when you're withdrawing you're basically willing to try anything to help yourself get through those rough times. I also find creating and sticking to a going to sleep and waking up schedule helps a lot to with sleep. What I mean by this is to not have nights were you're up until 3 A.M. and wake up the next day at 11 A.M. then following the previous day by going to bed early and waking up early. Make a schedule and stick to it.
A breathing exercise that I have found to help with not only getting to sleep but relaxing works by lowering your pulse and clearing your mind. For some people, this works well while others may not notice much of a difference. It takes a little practice to get used to as well. It can also help when you have a panic attack or are frustrated. This breathing exercise is called the 4-7-4 technique and works as follows:
Sit down in a chair with your back straight and hands together meeting at your stomach.
Your fingers should interlock at your stomach with the backside (opposite of your palm side) of your hands facing out.
Inhale and take a 4 second continuous breath of fresh air and hold it in for 7 seconds.
After holding your breath for 7 seconds, release your breath for 4 seconds continuously
Continue this 3-5 times
Another thing that may help is simply reading a book, surfing the web, or watching a little television before bed. It will help keep your mind busy while giving you some entertainment to pass the time and relax. However, don't just sit there for a few hours watching television, surfing the web, or playing video games as this can have the opposite effect. Try doing something that you really enjoy that doesn't take up a lot of your energy. Having a good environment around you before you go to sleep can make quite the difference so make sure you're in a relaxed, quiet, and comfortable environment each night.
Herbal Methods -
There are also some natural herbs out there that are said to help with sleep. While I have never tried any of these herbs, the ones I most commonly hear about are Valerian Root and St. John’s Wort, which can usually be found at stores like GNC or Vitamin World. There are other herbal remedy's out there as well. I have also heard Lavender can help. Don't look at these herbs as something you shouldn't talk to your doctor about as some of them carry side effects or can have adverse effects with other medications. As always, be smart and talk with your doctor!
This is one of the hardest things you will ever go through but it's also one of the most rewarding. I'm sorry you can't do a meeting until Thursday. It's good you checked into it though. I'm sure you're tired of hearing this, but things really are going to turn a corner really soon for you. It just takes a little time and a lot of fighting, so don't give up!
I knew this was going to be hard but I had no idea it would be this hard. I did reach out to a NA meeting place near me but they were having some special closed meeting and I can't go till Thursday and right now Thursday is a lifetime away.
Some people have good luck with OTC stuff like Benadryl or Tylenol PM. I tried them during my detox and it actually made things worse. I was still unable to sleep and it increased my drowsiness and restless leg feeling. There are other natural supplements that help with sleep. Valerian Root is a good one. It does calm you down and makes you pretty sleepy. Lemon Balm is another one that is said to help with sleep and nerves. I think for a lot of folks, me included, it's just better to go the natural route and let your body get rid of all of the toxins and start to heal. Believe it or not sleep will return to normal fairly soon. Hang in there...you are doing a fantastic job!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
