Alcohol as a sleep-aid

[Leros]

I've always had a tough time sleeping. It takes me 1-2 (sometimes 3) hours to fall asleep at night. I was waking up exhausted every day.

I tried OTC sleep aids and nothing really worked well. I'd still take 1-2 hours to fall sleep, but then I'd do weird things at night. Sleep walking, etc. I'd still wake up tired.

For the past few months, I've been having a 1-2 drinks before going to bed. I've been falling asleep in 5 minutes and waking up feel absolutely fantastic.

So my question is: Is it bad for me? Should I stop? What are the alternatives?

 

[LikeLinus]

I've always had a tough time sleeping. It takes me 1-2 (sometimes 3) hours to fall asleep at night. I was waking up exhausted every day.

I tried OTC sleep aids and nothing really worked well. I'd still take 1-2 hours to fall sleep, but then I'd do weird things at night. Sleep walking, etc.

For the past few months, I've been having a 1-2 drinks before going to bed. I've been falling asleep in 5 minutes and waking up feel absolutely fantastic.

So my question is: Is it bad for me? Should I stop? What are the alternatives?

It's not bad if you want to become an alcoholic

 

[Leros]

It's not bad if you want to become an alcoholic

The alcoholism thing is something I do sort of worry about. I have no desire to get drunk. I don't even like having more than 1-2 drinks. I don't like the feeling. I never understood why people want to drink a lot. I do recognize that wanting alcohol every night to sleep is some sort of addiction.

I can sleep without alcohol. It doesn't bother me or anything. But it does take me my usual 1-2 hours to fall asleep.

I'm not trying to defend my alcohol use here, but this is the first thing I've found that's actually helped my sleep. I can't help but ignore the impact that is has had on my life. I feel better all day long because I sleep better at night.

 

[AreaCode707]

<-----ATOT
Dr ------>

 

[Leros]

<-----ATOT
Dr ------>

I don't currently have health insurance. I have a clinic at my university which is usually free, but that doesn't help at all when it comes to prescriptions.

That's why I'm trying to find a non-prescription fix. I've tried OTC stuff, but it doesn't seem to help.

 

[guyver01]

Alcohol is one of the components in "nighttime" medicines that claim to help you sleep, btw.

primarily because it has sedative properties.

 

[guyver01]

That's why I'm trying to find a non-prescription fix. I've tried OTC stuff, but it doesn't seem to help.

I work graves... i go to sleep with the sun out.

best thing i've ever found was non-asprin PM tylenol.

1 pill and i'm asleep in 30min.

 

[Locut0s]

If you keep it to 1-2 drinks then I wouldn't say it's a bad thing. The problem is monitoring yourself and making absolutely sure you keep it to 1-2 drinks. Not 1-2 this year then 2-3 next year then before you know it a bottle 10 years down the road.

In fact a drink a day may or may not be good for you, depending on the medical literature you look at.

Are these normal sized drinks? Like just a bottle of beer or a small glass of wine?

 

[Leros]

If you keep it to 1-2 drinks then I wouldn't say it's a bad thing. The problem is monitoring yourself and making absolutely sure you keep it to 1-2 drinks. Not 1-2 this year then 2-3 next year then before you know it a bottle 10 years down the road.

In fact a drink a day may or may not be good for you, depending on the medical literature you look at.

Are these normal sized drinks? Like just a bottle of beer or a small glass of wine?

Its usually a glass and a half of wine.

 

[LikeLinus]

Alcohol is one of the components in "nighttime" medicines that claim to help you sleep, btw.

primarily because it has sedative properties.

It's true, Alcohol is a depressant and can help you get to sleep. But it has major side effects and I wouldn't use it as a crutch to help you sleep.

 

[Locut0s]

I work graves... i go to sleep with the sun out.

best thing i've ever found was non-asprin PM tylenol.

1 pill and i'm asleep in 30min.

I think you mean acetaminophen (aka paracetamol). Asperin is a completely separate pain killer. What is the active ingredient in these PM tablets?

 

[Locut0s]

Its usually a glass and a half of wine.

Yeah I wouldn't worry too much about that so long as you don't drink more and monitor yourself. Also so long as you don't have any underlying reason to be drinking. In my case for example I can drink at social occasions and the like but because of my depression and anxiety it's a bad sign if I find myself drinking outside those situations.

EDIT: Not a doctor. Consult a real doctor before doing anything.

 

[Leros]

I work graves... i go to sleep with the sun out.

best thing i've ever found was non-asprin PM tylenol.

1 pill and i'm asleep in 30min.

I've tried it, along with lots of other OTC sleep aids. It doesn't help me fall asleep faster, but it does make me do weird things at night. Its not as bad as the pure sleep aids, but I do still find myself walking around at night doing weird stuff.

 

[TheVrolok]

I think you mean acetaminophen (aka paracetamol). Asperin is a completely separate pain killer. What is the active ingredient in these PM tablets?

Diphenhydramine HCL.

 

[Locut0s]

Diphenhydramine HCL.

I've used that stuff semi recreationally on numerous occasions.

 

[guyver01]

What is the active ingredient in these PM tablets?

500 mg of Acetaminophen
25 mg of Diphenhydramine HCL

 

[TheVrolok]

I've used that stuff semi recreationally on numerous occasions.

Many, many people have.

 

[Locut0s]

500 mg of Acetaminophen
25 mg of Diphenhydramine HCL

Look for Gravol, I think it's called Dramamine in the US. It's JUST Diphenhydramine. If you are using it as a sleep aid it's better than taking the Tylenol as you don't need the 500 mg of acetaminophen.

 

[guyver01]

Look for Gravol, I think it's called Dramamine in the US. It's JUST Diphenhydramine. If you are using it as a sleep aid it's better than taking the Tylenol as you don't need the 500 mg of acetaminophen.

i've actually tried dramamine... and it doesnt work for me.. dunno why... i think the 500mgs of acetaminophen help because it acts as a blood thinner... making the absorbtion of the diphenhydramine work quicker.

 

[0roo0roo]

it renders you unconscious in a bad way, non rem sleep etc. non restful sleep.

 

[Locut0s]

it renders you unconscious in a bad way, non rem sleep etc. non restful sleep.

That depends on how much you have. A drink or two won't have too much of an effect. A lot more then you are right.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

you need to join the drunk thread

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

Look for Gravol, I think it's called Dramamine in the US. It's JUST Diphenhydramine. If you are using it as a sleep aid it's better than taking the Tylenol as you don't need the 500 mg of acetaminophen.

Actually, Dramamine is dimenhydrinate. It has to break down into diphenhydramine, causing it to take effect more slowly for a longer period of time. That's why it's used to treat motion sickness. If you want diphenhydramine go for the generic Benadryl (Or possibly an OTC sleep aid, the diphenhydramine ones are usually 50mg, equivelant to two Benadryl tablets)

I find if I take diphenhydramine as a sleep aid, I wake up feeling very tired the next morning. Alcohol works better as a sleep aid for me.

 

[0roo0roo]

That depends on how much you have. A drink or two won't have too much of an effect. A lot more then you are right.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm
"Many people who suffer from insomnia try to solve the problem with alcohol &#8211; the so-called night cap. While alcohol does help people fall into light sleep, it also robs them of REM and the deeper, more restorative stages of sleep. Instead, it keeps them in the lighter stages of sleep, from which they can be awakened easily."

 

[Locut0s]

Actually, Dramamine is dimenhydrinate. It has to break down into diphenhydramine, causing it to take effect more slowly for a longer period of time. That's why it's used to treat motion sickness. If you want diphenhydramine go for the generic Benadryl (Or possibly an OTC sleep aid, the diphenhydramine ones are usually 50mg, equivelant to two Benadryl tablets)

I find if I take diphenhydramine as a sleep aid, I wake up feeling very tired the next morning. Alcohol works better as a sleep aid for me.

Yes my bad thanks. Yeah and when I said I had taken it recreationally before I was also talking about dimenhydrinate.