Sleeping - withdrawal? insomnia?

well i am only beginning my clean time so i know my sleep  is gonna be hard for a while. but how do i know if it is just from withdrawal or if i really have insomnia. as long as i remember i have had trouble falling asleep and staying asleep (before my addiction). and between times when i wasnt even drinking (dont know if alcohol contributes). how long do i wait till i tell a doctor that i might have insomnia. i hope my sleep gets better but like i said its not new to me, and its been like this even when i was completely clean. it went away for a while but when i was on opiates i could run 20 miles or fall asleep at my own discretion.

[Katrina81]

Have you tried melatonin or other OTC sleep aides?

[JES168]

yes i have tried melatonin regular and extra strength. my girlfriend buys many different brands and kinds of otc sleep aids she finds at the store otc, that i too have tried. i don't know the ingredients. i only drink water, Juice, and milk and eat healthy. it doesn't matter if i work all day or sit on the couch. I don't like tea and wont drink it. i can only think to consult a doctor.

[JES168]

so how long should my sleep be erratic due to withdrawal? i dont want to tell a doctor now then he puts me on sleeping pills and there is a chance that my problems of the past are not present anymore. after how long can i attribute this to insomnia and and not withdrawal?

[JES168]

well its my fifth day clean and of course sleeping is not great yet. having trouble falling asleep but at least i am getting at least 6 hours of sleep. im hoping to get an answer to my question. my last post. after how long can i attribute this to insomnia and not withdrawal, so i can talk to a doctor about sleeping pills. the otc stuff just doesnt work for me. and i dont think its only withdrawal, however it may be at this moment. but i have had trouble sleeping for as long as i can remember and tried otc meds then also.

[laurel453]

it is a difficult question, Jes... Problems with sleep are common as you know. I had them for some months (2/3 months )but i was happy with having 6 hours of sleep . So my question is that maybe you are getting too ansious about this issue. I would not speak of insomnia if you are sleeping at least 6 hours. Wait for now to see how it develops, you are yet on the early days, so the speak,