How wonderful you have reached out for some help. That was a very smart choice.
There are many people who frequent this message board regularly, so you can feel free to post any sort of question or comment about how things are going for you just as you have in this thread. There is private messaging, and I occasionally ask some questions in that way too.
Have you found the big book of alcoholics anonymous yet? I know you can order it on Amazon, or find it free to read online if you do not have AA meetings near you. That will be a very important first move for you. From there, working the steps will be important, and you will need guidance for it. I am sure others will chime in here and let you know how it can work to do the steps in remote areas (with no AA meetings). We normally find a sponsor in a meeting to help us walk through it, but I supplemented with this board whenever I was unable to have a sponsor, so maybe something along that line can work for you too.
It will be good to keep checking back here for more responses as I do not have all the answers, but I am very glad you're here with us and beginning your journey to recovery. I started here too about 10 months ago and I have come to find a new joy for life that I didn't think I could have without alcohol. It is possible to live without the stuff, and we find out it's even better... although hard to believe at first.. it's true now for millions.
Welcome aboard, Tasha
-- Edited by justadrunk on Friday 18th of January 2013 06:45:50 AM
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
hi everyone, I am an alcoholic from China, I would like to make some friends who are trying to use the AA steps to rid of the alcohol problem. It is unfortunate that i can not find many people with the same problem to communicate with here. if you are interested, please email me : moreshine@gamil.com
Looking back now, I realized the first reason for me to use alcohol was due to sleeping prolems, it is still the reason I drain that bottle some nights. I have recently been taking some supplementing medicine meltonin to help me rest better and to take the place of alcohol, is it wise to do so?
Hello Moreshine, welcome to our board. We have members all over the world. In answer to your question, Melatonin is a natural product that our body makes. Nothing wrong with taking that, according to the instructions. Alcoholics always seem to want More than is advisable.
Sounds like you've admitted to yourself that you have a problem with alcohol ... That's the 1st step ... I agree with Tasha that you should get your hands on a copy of the book 'Alcoholics Anonymous' (commonly referred to, by us, as the Big Book ...) ... be sure to read it as soon as you can ...
There are AA groups and meetings all over the world and they are generally easy to find now over the internet ... just do a 'search' for 'AA meetings' and include your nearest city ...
Drinking to sleep is just one of the many excuses we come up with for having the next drink ... Melatonin may help in some cases, but I found out the sleep that alcohol helped me with was not a good, body restoring, restful help ... I continued to wake-up the next morning more tired than when I went to bed ... and depending on how long and how much alcohol you've been using, the natural sleep you seek can take a while after you stop drinking ... anywhere from a few weeks to a few months ...
AA is a spiritual (awakening) program that anyone can learn to practice ... We have NO connections to any 'religious' groups what-so-ever ... so hopefully, you'll be able to join a group near you and find the solution to your drinking problem as millions of others have ...
Love ya man and God Bless, Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I had issues with sleeping, too. Something that helped me tremendously was valerian root tea.. Inexpensive herbal sedative- easy and very effective. I, too, agree with Tasha on getting a copy of the Big Book. I believe it is available online, as well, if you'd like to check it out.
Yep ... Alcohol helps us 'pass out' ... it does NOT help for a good restful sleep unless you are a normal one or two drink kind of person ... my neighbors used to sit out on their back porch every evening and have just one, maybe two drinks ... it used to p_ss me off ... I always thought I needed a whole bottle to get to sleep ... and I thought 'How can anyone have just one drink?' ... or worse, they'd only drink 1/2 of the second drink and pour the rest out ... argggggh!!!!!
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Welcome. There are AA meetings in China. I would suggest going. This message board is not enough on it's own and you are not likely to succeed on your own without meetings. Alcoholism is more cunning, powerful, and baffling, than solving a simple dilemma with sleep. For most of us, our drinking is an illness that cuts to our soul. Go to actual AA.....but please do keep coming back here and tell us how you are doing also.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
I can't add a lot to what has been said. I usually don't have any problems sleeping, but I do occasionally take 3mg melatonin.
I think it is pretty harmless, it takes about 15 -20 minutes to work, after that you get a little tired for 5-10 min, if you don't fall asleep within about 30 minutes after taking it, it will be out of your system.
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Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Welcome Moreshine! How wonderfully brave for you to have reached out for help! Many of us alcoholics have experienced insomnia, which at times for me, would send me into a complete panic......which of course made me WIDE WIDE WIDE awake lol! Since menopause, I am awakened 1 to 10 times per night, from hot flashes (thats why menopausal women can be a bit grumpy (grrrrrrrr! lol)...we dont sleep for a decade, or so.......HOWEVER....I take no sleep aides of any kind......I KNOW, that people do not ever die from lack of sleep!!!!!!! But one alcoholic/addict dies every single minute, of alcoholism/drug addiction!!!!!!!!! For me, one drink/drug/mind altering substance means complete loss of control! Its a terrifying realization! I did not mean to get drunk! I really and truly wanted to drink one, or two, or five, or ten......but I DID NOT WANT to become drunk! If you find, that you are not doing with alcohol, what you intended to do....you may be one of us! If that is the case........We have good news and bad news :).......The good news is :there is a WAY OUT!.....The bad news?......IT'S US!!!LOL...... Many prayers are with you......Bless you Bless you Bless you...and Keep Coming Back!
I can't add a lot to what has been said. I usually don't have any problems sleeping, but I do occasionally take 3mg melatonin.
I think it is pretty harmless, it takes about 15 -20 minutes to work, after that you get a little tired for 5-10 min, if you don't fall asleep within about 30 minutes after taking it, it will be out of your system.
Hi Rob, the solution you describe has worked for me too when I am having sleep difficulties. Just wanted to chime in on that solution.
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"And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone-even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have returned."
Alcoholics Anonymous, Page 84
An addict is WHAT I am but it does not define all of WHO I am.
