Whiskey Before Bed?

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RonJ

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I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Used to be that a Benedryl would help, but not anymore.
Now I've found that a stout drink of booze will put me out. Trouble is that I have to develope a pretty good buzz before it works. I've always avoided alcohol since my Dad was a drunk, so it makes me a little uneasy.
Think I should avoid it?
 
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Yep... Might work for a while but not for long... The insomnia will return and you'll just be buzzed and awake...

My wife is big into natural remedies-n-such. (Aside: I wonder how many good remedies from Mountian folk have been lost over the years... Knowledge exists in more than just textbooks.) I once read in her stack of stuff that drinking plain hot water will stimlate drowsiness and aid sleep...

Not sure I buy it, but there it is....
 
A very close friend of mine had trouble sleeping. Someone tod him to drink a cup of camamile (sp?) tea before bed. He says it knocks him out cold.

As for me, I read. The story lines keep my mind from zooming off in twenty different directions at the same time (which is what keeps me awake!), and just the act of reading makes my eyes so tired that they just close. I have awoken in the morning with the reading light on and an open book on my chest many times! It really works for me.
 
Wheelgunner840 said:
A very close friend of mine had trouble sleeping. Someone tod him to drink a cup of camamile (sp?) tea before bed. He says it knocks him out cold.

As for me, I read. The story lines keep my mind from zooming off in twenty different directions at the same time (which is what keeps me awake!), and just the act of reading makes my eyes so tired that they just close. I have awoken in the morning with the reading light on and an open book on my chest many times! It really works for me.
Click to expand...

Hmmm! I always thought that tea was a bad idea since most contain caffein. But chamomile is apparently OK according to a quick check on line. Thanks. I just hope it doesn't taste like Earl Grey, too flowery for my taste.
 
Do you spend a lot of time in bed when you aren't sleepy? I would read or watch tv somewhere else, and only go to bed and lay down when you are tired. You can train your body to do this. I avoid laying in the bed unless I'm tired, so when I do lay down, I'm gone within a couple of minutes.

Start a regular bedtime routine. Bathroom, brush teeth, prayers, whatever. Once you are in that routine, you can "tell" your body it's time for sleep.

just my two cents, it works for me...
 
As stated by Pasifikawv a shot might help at first .
But then it will be 2-3 maybe 4,5,6,..........?
Sorta like me thinking I'll just smoke this ONE cigarette after quiting.
Don't start a bad habit you might want to quit in the future!
 
Watch C-Span.
Seriously, if you want to avoid over the counter stuff (I use Tylenol PM quick release) there's a "natural" herb called Valerian that works well for my Wife. I've tried it, works so-so, but smells like the north end of a south bound mule when being swallowed even in capsules. My insomnia is related to other body ache issues though, so you may find the Valerian helpful?
(A Martini AND the Tylenol PM Q/R REALLY work!)
 
I'll be the first to admit that I have a little drink before bedtime - but since I'm originally from Wisconsin, it's brandy rather than whiskey. Once in bed I spend about 30 minutes reading, which aids relaxation. Only YOU can answer the question of whether alcohol should be avoided in your particular case.
 
Alcohol may make you fall asleep, but you won't get much use out of it. I forget the reason, but when you drink a lot and fall asleep, your body actually has a lot of functions running and so your unconscious, but your body isn't sleeping like a normal sleep...

I wouldn't use it as a way to fall asleep.
 
I second the valerian root and chamomile tea. both are good old fashioned sleep inducers without the negative side effects of booze.
 
Ron,

I don't recommend the alcoholic night cap on a regular basis as it will cause more harm than benefit. I would suggest seeing a Neurologist that specializes in sleep disorder as this can be, and usually is, a very complicated thing that will require diagnostic tests and probably prescription meds. One thing you can try that works very well is Melatonin. You can buy this over the counter - Costco sells it by the big bottle full. An adult dosage varies by weight, but I weigh 175lbs. and take 2 each night. As far as prescription sleeping meds go, be very careful with these as there are several documented episodes of people driving cars, eating, cooking, making/having phone calls, etc. while under the effects of some of these medications (example: Ambien). I did my first IL removal while under the effects of Ambien one night, and it took me about 3 days afterwards to start wondering if I had really performed the IL removal, or if it as just a dream.

Best of luck,

Dave
 
Dave, that was a great way to work guns into the conversation.:)
You guys are saying what I suspected all along. Stay away from the booze. Thanks.
 
Chamomile tea tastes like a flower shop!
I have a friend (cop) that told me about Melatonin. My dad tried it and said it made him still sleepy the next day.

Do some research online about sleep habits. No eating after 6:00pm, turn your lights down an hour before you go to bed, no TV, internet or anything that will switch your mind on before you try to sleep. I know someone who did vitamin B shots and he said he slept like a baby. Regular exercise in the morning will help...but without knowing what your lifestyle is like, it's hard to tell what will work best for you. Good luck.
just remembered, try warm milk and lay horizontal! It works.
 
Last edited:
Try Melatonin. Natural over the counter stuff. Oooops. Already been suggested. Oh well, try it again!
 
My grandmother knocked my grandfather out one time. Give me your address and I'll send her over with boxing gloves. When I can't sleep I usually read a book and fall asleep everytime.
 
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