Why can't I sleep when I go out drinking?

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
4,233
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I had a good night including a few drinks last night. I got home around 4am and fed the cat early so I wouldn't have to wake up and feed her at 7:30. I sleep for a few hours, and wake up at 6:30 for no reason. I've been awake since then and it's now 12:30. What the hell is wrong with me?
 

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,962
140
106
Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Alcohol disrupts normal sleep processes.


..yup..the body is working hard to rid it self of the booze.
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
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I've had some of my best nights of sleep after a night of light drinking.

I went to a wine bar with a friend of mine, and we ended up going through three bottles. I didn't feel intoxicated; rather, just very relaxed. I ended up at home a little after midnight and had a great night of sleep. Contrast that with a night of heavy drinking with shots, mixed drinks, etc. and I usually feel horrible that night and the following morning.

I just try to keep myself hydrated if I'm drinking, but overall I just try to do so in moderation.
 
Jun 19, 2004
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I thought you meant something like "Why can't I take a nap while out drinking.". I've wanted to do that often when I'm out to get a second wind.
 

PowerMacG5

Diamond Member
Apr 14, 2002
7,701
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Whenever I drink so much that I black out, I wake up the next morning at 9:30 AM on the dot. I can't explain it, but the few times I have blacked out completely (3 or 4), I woke up the next morning at 9:30.
 

TraumaRN

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2005
6,893
63
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Originally posted by: Descartes
I've had some of my best nights of sleep after a night of light drinking.

I went to a wine bar with a friend of mine, and we ended up going through three bottles. I didn't feel intoxicated; rather, just very relaxed. I ended up at home a little after midnight and had a great night of sleep. Contrast that with a night of heavy drinking with shots, mixed drinks, etc. and I usually feel horrible that night and the following morning.

I just try to keep myself hydrated if I'm drinking, but overall I just try to do so in moderation.

Well yea in smaller doses alcohol is a CNS depressant so when you only drink enough to as you say 'get relaxed' then you sleep like you just took 10mg's of ambien. Personally when I have a particularly hard day at the hospital and I know I'm not working the next morning, I'll make myself a triple shot margarita with some good white tequila an hour later I'm crashed and dont wake up til 8 the next morning and I wake up feeling like a million bucks.

Alcohol FTW in small amounts! :thumbsup:
 

compnovice

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2005
3,192
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I sleep less after drinking, but I sleep soundly.... I am all fit and running with 4-5hrs of sleep...just remember to drink water before hitting the bed...
 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
21,281
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Err, alchohol normally should cause drowsiness, unless you're combining it with Red Bulls or anything with caffeine.

Give me a few drinks, & if i'm already tired, i'll zonk out right away.
 
Feb 19, 2001
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Alcohol can cause drowsiness, causing you to fall asleep soon.

However, the biproduct of alcohol is a stimulant. Go take a bio class and you'll see. This is how you still manage to wake up at 8am sometimes...
 

TraumaRN

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2005
6,893
63
91
Originally posted by: DLeRium
Alcohol can cause drowsiness, causing you to fall asleep soon.

However, the biproduct of alcohol is a stimulant. Go take a bio class and you'll see. This is how you still manage to wake up at 8am sometimes...

Proof of that? I've never heard of that one before
 

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
4,233
0
71
So I finally got a nap in from 3 to 4. I didn't have much to drink last night. I noticed that the designated driver was going all out so I stopped after about three drinks around 1. By the time we left (around 3:30) I was completely sober and fell asleep quickly. I just can't stay asleep when I drink any significant amount.
 

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,962
140
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Text


Alcoholic beverages are often consumed in the late afternoon (e.g., at "happy hour" or with dinner) without further consumption before bedtime. Studies show that a moderate dose1 of alcohol consumed as much as 6 hours before bedtime can increase wakefulness during the second half of sleep. By the time this effect occurs, the dose of alcohol consumed earlier has already been eliminated from the body, suggesting a relatively long-lasting change in the body's mechanisms of sleep regulation (7,8).