Insomnia Hell!!

[Clong45]

Hi,
I've been a full raging opiate addict ever since I got put on Vicodin back in 1999 when i about died in a motorcycle accident.  I'd been abusing  Vicodin, Perks, Oxycotin, Heroin, and Methadone since 2005 and have been on Suboxone since 2010.  I've been in and out of recovery all these years and know alot about getting clean, but my problem is staying clean.  Currently I'm on day 7 of a cold turkey dive off Suboxone.  I jumped off ship at 2mg.  This seems like the 20th time I've been in this position with all the times I've tried quitting in the past.  I've lost a marriage and many loved ones down this nasy past of self destruction.  I really think this time I've got what it takes to stay clean.  NA meetings are a must!! This Is my second time quitting Suboxone in the last 6 months.  

My question is:  What are some natural ways you like to deal with insomnia?

I've got insomnia really, really bad!  The last time I got off Suboxone(which I was only off of 1 month),  I had Benzos to help with the sleeping.  This time I don't have those and don't want them cause I've had a history with Benzos as well.  I'm just looking for some natural ways that might be effective on getting me some sleep that I might not already know.  Any suggestions will help!!

Thanks!

[Pat1956100]

Melatonin has really helped me through it this time.  I am so glad it worked for you as well.  Sleep makes all the difference in the world.
Get out on that bike and roar!!!!

[sandstone27]

Hi Clong,

I'm just now reading your thread and it  sounds like you've got all of your bases covered - that's great!  I just wanted to send a "well wishes" message your way and that I hope for your continued success.

Yes, you CAN do this!

Sandy ♦

[Clong45]

Thanks for the advise on the Melatonin.  That stuff really helped me.  I was trying to sleep with otc pm meds, but they don't help a bit and they make me extremely dizzy.  I'm very suprprized how the Melatonin worked.  I got 6 hour of sleep last night!  Day 8 off the subs and withdralws are starting to decrease.  About to go for a jog/walk and maybe take a cruise on the motorcycle to get some adrenaline pumping.  
Thanks again.

[Vecci4u]

Ggood for you to get away.... Being a a new scene will defenetly help...

I am taking ambien, and while it is absolutely great for insomnia... It's do great you will get hooked on it... I went weeks with so very little sleep before I first tried it I was hooked since then... I was up to about 30 mg per night or 3 tabs.... So careful if u ever come across them cause it's a euphoria and very relaxing... Hooking u in.... So try at all costs to go natural

[Clong45]

You are totally correct.
I've made every excuse to use for sure.  I think I've used everyone in the book.  I'm changing my number and deleting numbers out of my phone Monday after work.  I have already turned down calls the last 7 days as well.  Plus, I have plenty of money to get whatever I want, but still have the will to say no.  I'm really feeling this will be different.  I'm for sure staying away from my triggers as well.  I am going to San Diego in August and think that it will help to get away for awhile

[kyle505]

You've been around the block so I really don't have to tell you this, but as long as you have access to whatever, the odds of relapse are high. You've been living it. Your connections will stay in your head - then after a while something will set you off, you'll start justifying using and away you'll go.
Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

[Clong45]

ust to let it be known I have been to in and out patient rehabs for my Herion addiction back in 2009 and have been clean of Heroin over 2 years now.  Sadly, my connections to Heroin addicts has enabled me cheap and easy access to Methadone and Suboxone.  Suboxone has defiinantly helped me kill the craving for Heroin, but Suboxone is just as bad as Heroin if not worse to come off of.  This I know from expierience!  I know I can do this!  I know I can do this!   NA meetings seem to really be helping me this time as well!  I will keep this forum updated.

[Clong45]

Thanks for your replies!  
I will be heading to the natural food store real soon. I need to get out of the house anyways and burn some energy!

atthebeach:  I actually don't feel so bad today as I did day 3 through 5.  I guess I'm so used to getting on and off these demon drugs that the felling sick is just easier to deal with.  Last time I was 29 days clean, I quit at taking 4-8mgs a day and was also taking benzos on a regular basis.  I stopped taking the benzos the first week of those 29 days and let me say that this time it's a walk in the park this time compared to that time.  It was hell detoxing off Subs and Benzos together.  I only got the Vicodon and Perks from the doctor untill they cut me off back in 2005.  I haven't been to the doctor since then,  They are clueless to my problem.  Yes, I've been buying everything black market.  I guess I'm a "closet user"..But to be honest, the subs have been a life saver.  Thats all i've taken in the last year or so.  It's time to be done for good, this I know!

[salsinator]

I was on Suboxone and more recently jumped ship from Valium and Tramadol and both times had severe difficulty sleeping as well.  Like you I sought out some non-addictive ways to help me sleep.  Like Pat indicated, meletonin is natural and helps and OTC sleeping pills also worked.  These will not give you complete sleep, but they helped me get 4-5 hours per night until my brain healed enough to get my sleep pattern back.  I found that after 2 weeks from quitting that my sleep patterns finally started to get better.  Coming off suboxone is very hard, if I had known, I would not have taken it so long, I took it for over 2 years.  I jumped off at 1-2mg and went through a medical detox.  It worked, but I still experiences lack of sleep and some anxiety.  I am 3 years off suboxone and nearly 9 weeks off Valium.  It's hard staying clean, working a program is the only way to stay that way.  Keep going to those meetings and keep posting.  All the best.

[atthebeach]

hello and welcome.  jumping ship at 2mg suboxone is tough. i hope that wont set you up for failure. why didnt you taper ?
yes staying clean is the hard part.
recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. it is necessary to work your recovery each and every day. take it one day at a time.
counseling with therapist,psychologist,clergymen,addiction specialist.
exercise,staying away from the people,places and things associated with your use,eating a healthy diet,protein,veggies,fruits,attending church, an new hobby,volunteering somewhere, there are many forms of aftercare.
it is going to take months for your mind,body,soul,spirit and emotions to heal. your brain chemistry needs to begin to produce the natural chemicals again on its own.
dont stress out about the sleeping. rest when you can, it is amazing how we can actually go without sleep for awhile during detox.
otc natural sleep aids, valerian root,sleep by nature made, alteril, chamomile tea,check out a natural food store and see what they have.
you can do this. you will be in my thoughts and my prayers
keep the faith
debbie
have you always got the drugs from doctors? or the street?

[Pat1956100]

Melatonin has really helped me.  You can buy it at any drug store.  Benadryl works for some people and so does Sleepy time tea.  I find if something works one night it won't necessarily work the next.  You can try different things and see what works for you.  Good luck.