Why am I still awake??????

The beer is part of the problem. Even though alcohol can make you tired it also makes it very hard to sleep after the initial drowsiness.

Thank you for taking time to comment. I don't usually drink but after taking sleeping pills for a week with no response I thought I'd try tge beer. Iwasnt aware that it would prevent it. As I said it didn't work anyway so on to try a different route.

Cigarettes are a major stimulant. The fact that you are smoking triple of what you normally do will be enough to keep you awake. Do not drink alcohol or caffeine (including hot chocolate) before bed or exercise within 4 hours of going to sleep. Computers and TV also have a stimulating light in them. Try a mediatation CD and lie in your bed.......it may help.

The desire to start drinking came just before the Christmas holidays. I've never been more than a social drinker. Christmas this year for me was a point of meltdown. I've been overwhelmed with responsibilities at home and at work amongst my own issues and my children's issues, I just couldn't take any more I guess.

I use to wonder how anyone could smoke more than a pack a day since it felt like I was smoking all the time. I know it has to stop but now it's added to my problems.

I haven't been drinking nightly since the holidays but I've felt the desire to. I'm not sure if I want to escape my reality but I know I'm not an alcoholic and I know it's a depressant.

The sleeping problems started several months ago. I'm starting to think that my sleep patterns just got messed up badly because I had my addicted son living in the house. I started having to stay up with him because he was falling asleep while smoking, leaving the stove on etc.

If I heard him get up, which was easy because he'd be making a big racket although he seemed to think he was being quiet. The other kids were complaining about being awakened too when they had to get up and go to school.

There were some nights I stayed up all night and then went on to work the next morning. Other times he'd finally fall asleep at 5 or 6 so when I fell asleep exhausted, I'd end up failing to show up at work or calling in sick. It was a nightmare but he's since been removed from the house. I can't babysit him anymore as much as I don't want him living on the street.

I asked for sleeping pills to try and get patterns back to normal but I don't understand why they're not working? I've never used any kind of sleeping aid including anything off the shelf. I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow and I will discuss this with him but he knows I don't want to become addicted to anything.

I have cut back on coffee and I've only ever drank decaf at home. I'm not a pop drinker or hot chocolate. Hopefully this is just a matter of getting back to normal habits and I haven't screwed my self permanently.

Thank you everyone for the responses and advice. I'm trying most suggestions including the relaxation cd's. It will probably take a while to get back to normal but I sure hope it does.

I just never expected a sleeping not to work. They weren't overly mild or overly strong but good grief! I was worried about being groggy the day after using one but I could have taken a tic tac and had the same response. The doctor may have an explanation.

Again, thank you all.

I thought drinking with meds could be harmful:( ????

You're right Dill_07, drinking with meds is certainly not good for the liver or kidneys but I was at such a low point I wanted to die so I wasn't overly concerned at the time. I've been getting counselling and doing everything I can to get back on track so I've cut out the drinking.

mrsroberts, I've cut back back on my smoking too. I actually wasn't aware that they are stimulants. Nonetheless they're bad for anyone and by the grace of God, I will be able to quit them all together.

Excellent! Keep going, keep up the good work! Quitting is hard but so worth it! I quit in June and it's the best thing I have done for myself. Just take things one day at a time, things will get better. When I quit, I used to count how many days it had been....now I don't even think about it. You have to be ready to quit, otherwise you will just keep going back to it. Once you are ready, your resolve is already strengthened and you have nothing to go back to so it will be easier to stay quit. Good luck!!

I have been having sleeping issues for the last week. I can relate to your frustration, I would sleep for 30 min at a time and wake up in a panic every hour. All I could to was think about how long my day was going to be tomorrow and then punch my pillow and cry until my wife would wake up. Hang in there I know it seems like you will never feel, enjoy life, or have a tearfully nights sleep again, but you will. Just know you will sleep when your tired enough, and excercise helps also.

Thank you for your understanding and support Plato33. I've been trying to get into exercise but it's slow going as of yet. I'm trying to work up in the time I spend on my treadmill.

mrsroberts, I'm glad to hear you were able to beat your addiction to cigarettes. It isn't easy but you did it so you should be proud.

I think I'm ready to quit because I actually can't stand it anymore. I actually hate smoking and hate that I feel like I've been possessed by some evil.

I think the problem is just taking that final step. I'm terrified of what I may have to suffer through when I do. I need to get over the fear of the unknown but I just can't. My fear feels almost phobic like... thinking something horrible is going to happen. All the stress in my life right now isn't helping either. As I said, I am praying to whatever higher power is out there to give me what it takes to make that final step.

Thank you both for caring.

You're welcome. I should have mentioned that I took Champix to quit. Ask your doctor about it. Some people cannot take it because of side effects. I had no side effects at all and it was easy to quit. Good luck!