I have acute anxiety and often can't sleep. I am on prescription medication. I know it's not good but a girlfriend of mine got me into the liquor store and now I take a few puffs off an electronic cigarette and drink a small glass of what I call "girly booze" i.e. Boone's Farm, Cisco, or MD 20/20 before bed and then fall asleep while the cat molests me i.e. makes bread on me and won't leave me alone. A couple puffs off the electronic cig also helps if I am just having a panic attack out of my head. We are talking the alcohol and cigarettes last me a really really long time. At what point do you call it alcoholism? My ex who was in AA said he realized he was an alcoholic when it was all he could think about was how he was going to get more. If I run out, I run out. It's not a big deal. When I have it, I have it. Does what I do constitute alcoholism or a smoking problem?

I don't think so right now, but it is hard to tell.

Methinks not being able to sleep sucks in a lot of people,
to try whatever it takes to get a good nights rest.

The fact that you are over-worrying it at this early stage
is a good sign, surely.

As you get older, sleep becomes a huge issue.
One does whatever one can to accomplish it.

It sounds like you already have benefitted from
the enhanced program.

The trouble is, the mix and match, alcohol added
to other things, like prescription pills.

Many have died not realizing the compounding effects.

It's a choice :-)

Best advice.
Read about what the side affects are and what additives could enhance those affects.

In some folks, alprazolam makes folks suicidal. Adding booze amplifies the tendency.

Yes you have a problem but it's not alcohol or cigarettes. Now if you drank until you passed out then that would be an alcohol problem. The cigs are your choice but I would try not to get too attached to those because they are very addictive. I don't generally have issues getting to sleep but I am pretty active during the day. Cardio or any type of physical activity has always helped me get the best sleep. I also recommend orgasms for a way to fall asleep, and no you don't need someone else to make that happen :)

Yes, you have multiple problems.
The combination between your prescription medication, e-cigarette, and alcohol is likely causing your anxiety and not allowing you to sleep.

My advice is to stop drinking alcohol firstly.
Nothing good will come from the constant drinking of that stuff.

The next and most important thing I would advise you to do is to take a look at your prescription medication and talk to your doctor and see if there are any non medication alternatives for them as your medication may be causing your anxiety and inability to sleep.
Personally I tend to try to stay away from prescription medicine unless it's absolutely necessary.

Thirdly, the e-cigarettes are better for you than regular cigarettes, make no mistake about that, but they still contain nicotine which is what makes cigarettes addictive and the constant need for nicotine is another thing that is likely causing your anxiety and inability to sleep so my advice is to try to cut back on it and if you can eventually stop using it or cigarettes altogether.

If you really feel that you have a problem don't hesitate to talk to your friends/family about it and maybe even consider joining support groups that can help.

You do not have a problem aside from not being able to sleep.

Hey, Tea! I don't know what you have all tried for helping you go to sleep.
Longstanding ways to fall asleep- a warm glass of milk, meditation/ deep breathing, a little brandy before bed, a warm bath or shower, calming music... I'm sure there are others. It doesn't Sunday like you are dependent- you are making a choice, so that is good. It's when it moves past choice to dependence that is an issue, IMO.

Having had problems with anxiety my whole life, I do feel for you. I haven't actually tried what you are trying, as my body can't handle the chemicals, but as a short term solution, I would say you are okay for now. I know you have allergies to cigarettes, so you might want to avoid the electronic cigarette in case the nicotine triggers a reaction (even if it's usually the smoke that triggers your reaction, your body may not like the nicotine).

Another coping strategy is to write down all the things that are on your mind before bed, that way they get out of your head and give you some peace! A focusing exercise I find really helpful is to take turns listening, looking and feeling things in my environment while breathing deeply. It helps get my attention out of my head so I can let go of thoughts that are bothering me.

If you would like any more specifics, just mail me.

I am not smoking or drinking every day. It's just when it really gets to me. I have tried everything including herbs and such. Doesn't help as much. Oddly, I have a Chakra aligning CD and it seems to work the best as far as other remedies.

Hi!

My recommendation would be to have this exact conversation with your doctor. He/she knows you and your body best.

Sounds like you have tried herbs etc. while sometimes it works really well for some but not as well for others.

The only other thought I have is around your diet. Everything works all together to help our bodies be healthy. So adding more fruits and vegetables and perhaps a walk or a bike ride after dinner does seem to help the digestive system and help you get rest overnight.

There is nothing worse than a lousy night's sleep! Good luck!

Occasional use is probably not an issue, but I do agree with others that a conversation with your doctor re:interaction with meds isa must.

That Chakra alignment CD sounds really neat. I wonder if you need more time in that wind-down transition period to prepare you for sleeping.

You don't have a drinking problem, but you aren't in control of your anxiety. Ativan or other such benzodiazipines, are to help, but you need to learn how control the attacks. Mixing the benzos with aalcohol can be dangerous. They both cause drowsiness so just be careful. I recommend you find a treatment group for anxiety. It works, I have anxiety related to PTSD, and the treatment program has helped me.

The alcohol and ciarettes aren't the cause of her anxiety. She is using them as a medication to relieve her anxiety. Only she knows the rot of her anxiety. Do some research on anxiety, depression, ptsd, they all go hand in hand. Then come back and speak. I speak from experiance.

I don't know what "E cigarettes" have in them as far as chemicals.

I do know that tobacco smoking increases your heart rate and restricts your blood vessels, so the worst thing to do if you can't sleep is smoke. Aren't you the one who said getting a wiff of tobacco smoke would put you in the hospital?

MD 20 20 is what's known as a "fortified" wine. It contains more alcohol than regular wine. It has long been a favorite of winos.
Hardly what I would call "girly booze". You may do just as well taking a shot of a good Bourbon, Scotch or making a mixed drink.

All that said; if you THINK you have a problem you probably do.

This thread has been edited of comments directed
negatively towards other members, as opposed
to the Topic.

soufie
Site Moderator

I've tried various anti depressants and techniques, but had so much trouble quieting my mind, especially if I woke up in the middle of the night. Now I am medication free (weeeee!!!!) and I usually sleep very well. The key for me was vigorous walking early to mid day. So many things improved with the increase in cardio. But I wasn't able to do that until I paid attention to my diet. I cut out all complex carbohydrates by following the SCD diet (a god-send!), and that helped me get back some of the energy I was lacking for so long. I'm doing really well now and have more energy than I've had in over a decade, and I feel great! I recommend it to everyone I talk to about the subject of medication or fatigue.
Hope this helps!!

Often times people thinks alcoholism is the best way to reduce anxiety but their better option than Smoking and Alcohol. The option is u can get your nerves activeness relaxed through listening to music. How? get your best songs (preferable "Jazz Music/ Blues" and let them keep playing for awhile while you listen and before you know it you're feeling sleppy and many atimes fall asleep.

Please Give these method a try and let me know the result

I agree

I imagine she has already looked into the side effects of her meds.


I also agree that activity earlier in the evening can help - as in exercize

booze and cigs drugs there pain killers.ya can not take enough to fix a wounded heart. work on the inside, the outside will take care of its self. when our little child in us gets its needs met ,then we do not need booze, drugs etc. its hard to look inside because we have favorite feelings to recycle.also beliefs that need to be validated in the games we play with others. we are not bad, just wounded. discovery can be painful at first, when finally get to the joy part its all worth it. i suggest reading the book; getting the love you want. its a good to start with. go for it!