Drugs, no sleep... etc

[William_mac]

I was diagnosed with A.D.H.D when I was a small child. I was sent to phsychiatrists... etc. I actually got kicked out of one school when I was nine, because when they would give me my ritalin to take I would put it under my toung, walk away, and spit it out. I got caught. They kicked me out of that school that was "catering specifically" to children like me. Ha hah.

Anyway. As time has persisted I've become very secure in myself, my "personal legend" so to speak, and what I chose for myself to do. I've accomplished more than most people my age and posses an undying drive. But, It's wearing me down.

I can't sleep at night because I have so many ideas that come into my head. By trade, I'm a writer (scripts, short stories, journalism, politics) an Illustrator and film maker. This takes a toll and there aren't enough hours in the day.

Another problem I'm having is excessive drinking. I started smoking cigarettes when I was 15, I started drinking at 17 now I average about two bottles of wine a day. I started occastionally doing drugs at 18 and still do them from time to time.

I'm moreover asking if these are common problems. I do this mostly to shut out the constant thoughts and try to be my idea of "normal" or a little while, it also helps me sleep.


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-William

[Thomas12]

I found the below interesting. Maybe you find something for yourself in it........

Myself I am a social smoker, I like to drink wine, I am coffee addict (as many), but I never totally overuse, somehow I have been lucky that my body does not allow abuse, but I definitely need to drink a few glasses of wine after work as I have to work more than I would usually choose to. Maybe I am also lacking the right hobby for balance, for the relaxation....In general sport or the smallest body activity will help balancing...thats what I am going to increase, the oxygen is definetly needed. And of course the more meaning in your life, self respect and connection to your body.

Don't know if you know Pete Doherty of the Babyshambles, indeed an example for the world nowadays to think about abuse.........

All the best.

For the ADHD I have heard there a some good natural supplements nowadays which can balance and calm down without side effects.

Interesting read on addictions and the process.....

Blessings all!
Iris

Abe: You Dont Have To Be Good Just Be Real

From the Quarterly Journal Apr/May/Jun 1999 (pdf)
From the recording G-9-27-98
Also in GAF98 (ten tapes)
Kansas City, KS

QUESTION: I am a counselor and I work with a number of people who
are seeking assistance or release from a variety of kinds of
addictions: drugs, gambling, food, alcohol. I'm wanting to be of the
greatest assistance I can be to them, and I'd like your assistance.


ABRAHAM: Well, the thing about all of those addictions is that there
is another hunger that is deeper, that is beyond the cellular hunger
for the substance.

Each of you, as you come forth into these bodies, are full of this
Nonphysical Energy Stream that created you and that sustains you.
You are spirit embodied in this flesh, blood, bone apparatus, but
then, as you bang around for a while and you see disapproval in the
eyes of so many, and you, every day, pick up something else that you
push against, little by little you become familiar with disallowing
the Energy Stream.

All feel the diminishment, but some feel it more than others. Those
who come forth with the intense decision that they will stay
connected to the Stream, those who have come forth with very strong
determination to express what they know about this Energy Stream,
they suffer greatly when they choose vibrations that disallow it
fully.

But almost nobody is talking about vibration. It would be a rare
alcoholics meeting or drug counseling session where anyone would say
to the one across the table, "Well, you know, you're holding
thoughts that are keeping you vibrationally separated from who you
really are." And yet, that is what is at the heart of it. And so,
that void that they are feeling which is the void of joy, the void
of clarity, the void of Energy, the void of life, that is the void
they are trying to fill by buying one more thing and bringing it
home or by utilizing a substance that distracts them, in this
moment, from the things that cause them to push against.

When you utilize a drug or alcohol, your cork floats, in the
beginning, because just like hypnosis or meditation, you are
distracted from whatever thought that is holding you in the slower
vibration. And so, when you're distracted from what is holding you
there, your vibration raises. That's why they call it a high.

This is the first thing that, as a counselor, you must accept so
that you can convey it, vibrationally, even if you don't do it in
words: What they are addicted to is feeling better. What they are
addicted to is feeling better. What they are addicted to is the
higher vibration. And, bless their hearts, they've been banging
around until they found some way that they could facilitate that for
themselves. And then you say, "No. This is ultimately bad for you.
It makes you do bad things. And so, we will take this method that
you have found, that is the only method that you have been able to
find for getting yourself into a higher vibration, we're going to
take that away from you because it isn't good for you. We're going
to label you and condemn you and scorn you."

Much of the population is perfectly willing to be miserable, but
some of you are less willing to be miserable.

We Encourage Connection

We're not encouraging addiction. We are encouraging connection. But
sometimes it helps if you can convey to them why they have had those
impulses. And some of them are ready to hear that from you, and it
makes perfect sense to them, and some of them are not. We would
rather see someone with a with a relief. We would not take their
substance from them until we had given them an alternative bridge to
connection. But so many people are pushing so hard against the
addiction itself, because they don't understand it, that those words
would not be well received by them. They think that the first thing
we've got to do is get it away from them.

If the users were to withdraw the addictive substance from their
system, after about three days, the cells would stop calling, and
the physical craving would subside, temporarily. But the reason that
they went there to begin with has not been tended to. And so, almost
as soon as they turn around, something is going to remind them of
something that's going to take them back into that lower vibration,
and then they are going to long for the feeling of relief that the
substance gave them.

Three Days From Freedom

Any physical addiction, it doesn't matter how long they've been
taking it or how full of it their body is, any addiction, would,
between three and thirty days, be completely cleared from the
system. Usually closer to three days than thirty days. But it is the
emotional craving that must be tended to.

What you have to say to a person, and help them to understand,
is, "You are perfectly all right as you are, and it's nobody's
business what you've chosen." But that's not the way most of the
programs go. Most of the programs say, "You must admit what a rat
fink you are. We have a step that says you've got to go to all of
those people that you have wronged and you've got to open your heart
and you've got to admit how unworthy and rotten you are." It was
that feeling that drove them to drink to begin with, so now, what
you're saying to them is, "We're going to take the substance away
that gives you any relief, and we're going to poke a poker in your
ribs until you want it again. We're going to torture you back into
the very reason that you drank to begin with, but we're not going to
let you drink." And they say, "Okay. Then I'll jump off a bridge."
Or they will replace it with something else that is equally
condemned, and probably illegal, which brings all sorts of other
worrisome thoughts.

We Would Soothe Them

What would we do if we were standing in your physical shoes whether
we were a counselor or a friend or even a stranger? One who is
connected to the Stream is more powerful than millions who are not.
If we had the blessed opportunity of having someone like that in our
gaze, we would say, "I wouldn't worry about it." We would do
everything that's in our power to soothe, to soothe the void. We
would appreciate, we would praise, we would point out positive
aspects, we would show them how to pivot, we would teach them about
emotions, we would show them the difference between how this thought
feels and how this thought feels, and we would encourage them to
choose the thought that feels better.

Teach Them Selfishness

Most of all, you have to teach them selfishness. They have to be
selfish enough that they don't care what somebody else thinks, and
that's not an easy thing. You all have integrated yourself into a
society where you very much care what people think. That is the
hardest hurdle for most of you to overcome. You do care what others
think because you have trained yourself, most of you, to get almost
100% of your connection to Energy from somebody who is physically
focused and approving of you.

In your early stages, is where most of you begin vying for approval.
You began standing on your head, but what you discover is, you
cannot get that Energy Stream from someone who is not connected to
the Energy Stream. If they are not selfish enough to be connected,
they've got nothing to give you. Even though they want to. Your
parents want to give you everything that you need, but they can't
give it to you if they're not connected to it. You have all kinds of
people depending on each other for their connection. That's why
Teachers like us and Teachers like you have come into this physical
time/space reality, to remind you all how to make your own
connection. To help you find your connection with Core Energy so
that you can set your Tone and never again be dependent upon what
somebody else thinks about you. So that if you have a rough day, you
don't need alcohol or drugs. You meditate and reconnect, or you
quiet your mind, or you appreciate and reconnect, or you choose one
of hundreds of pleasant images that you've been practicing that you
keep in your pocket. You get one of them out and roll it around in
your mind. You show yourself how to adjust your vibration. You never
again depend upon the conditions to adjust your vibration. You leave
behind what you have learned about conditional love, and you become
one who loves unconditionally, and in order to do that, you
say, "Nothing is more important than that I feel good." And in the
beginning, sometimes that means, "I need a drug. I need some
alcohol. I need a friend who is connected. I need a stepping stone
to help me to connect." And that's why we say we wouldn't take the
drug away. We would allow the drug while we teach the greater
message.

www.abraham-hicks.com

[CuteGothPirate]

I have your perfect answer!
Your brain goes nuts at night, thinking about all kinds of things and keeping you awake. So you drink yourself into a stupor to get it to stop working.
Well...... Make it work harder! Get yourself a bunch of crossword books! Im serious, do crosswords everynight before you go to bed. It makes your brain focus on solving them and as you fall asleep it will solve continue to work on them. And then you will fall asleep faster and be able to stay asleep longer. Sounds wierd but seriously you should try it. AND BONUS! As a writer, it allows you to broaden your vocabulary at the same time!
Write us back and tell me how it goes!

[prometheus]

That is a great message, Thomas12. It can help many to understand more. Thank you!

[reckless-abandon]

i have the same problem with sleeping. i've been lucky enough to find a solution...cuddling. i can't sleep worth anything if there isn't someone atleast in the same room. i sleep like a rock if there is someone in the bed with me though. no clue why.

[shadowsong]

I have problems with sleeping too, but I have found amythist(sp?) helps I have a neckless made of it and I were it at night to help me sleep it also helps me remeber dreams better somtimes. I have also heard a stone called chrysopase can help with sleep. Of course I relate closely with the energy of stones and crystals I don't know how well it would work for anyone else. Sadly I have no one to snuggle with, except my cat I guess but sometimes she keeps me awake as much if not more often then she does help me sleep, and so catty she doesn't always want to snuggle.

The only thing i have ever been addicted to however was mountain dew, which I quit last spring. everthing else drinking, drugs..ex I stay away from completely.

[reckless-abandon]

addictions...oh do i ever have vices. coffee being the worst one for me. it doesn't really do much to help me function on an energy level but i ache for it. i have a heart condition and have been told to stay as far away from such stimulants, but i can't.

[Jebb]

The non-stop stream of thoughts, emotions, and ideas drove me to addiction as well. It was unbearable having this vague idea of where I'm supposed to be in this life and knowing that I still wasn't there. The anger that I felt when I looked at the state of the world around me became overwhelming and all I could think to do was find something to numb those feelings. It worked at first, then it began killing me. I've been fortunate enough to have found a way out of that slow suicide. The responsibility we have on our shoulders is tremendous and without adequate support we will fall.

[FeyIndigoWolf]

I am way too addicted to pot and I LOVE caffeine. In 2005 alcohol was beginning to become a problem for me, so I cut way back. I'm still not a great drinker. I have a tendancy to over-do it once I start, so I never keep any in the house. I've tried shrooms and ecstasy a couple fo times, but because I met my now husband while I was in that experimenting phase, it just stayed that - experimentation. I have always had trouble falling alseep because of the constant stuff running through my head, just like most of you. The caffeine keeps me going throughout the day. I inherited from my father a strange distaste for sugar in soda, tea, and gum (I don't drink coffee). And because our stupid FDA won't allow companies to use Stevia as a sweetener or even describe it as sweet, the only way I can enjoy soda is if it's diet. Yes, I know all about the evils of asparthame. But until they allow soda to be made with Stevia, I'll keep consuming it, unfortunately. Those are my worst vices.

My husband is a big pot smoker too, and a caffeine head, but doesn't drink any alcohol at all. He feels it would allow him to step over a line he's just not willing to cross anymore. He's afraid the alcohol would make him want to do other drugs. He used to be a major drug dealer and and at one point in his life he became a bit of a junky. He spent plenty of time in jail and wen he got out decided he was done with all that. The pot helped him stay home and not go out being tempted to sell drugs again.

[daemonicAngel]

I was diagnosed with A.D.H.D when I was a small child. I was sent to phsychiatrists... etc. I actually got kicked out of one school when I was nine, because when they would give me my ritalin to take I would put it under my toung, walk away, and spit it out. I got caught. They kicked me out of that school that was "catering specifically" to children like me. Ha hah.

Anyway. As time has persisted I've become very secure in myself, my "personal legend" so to speak, and what I chose for myself to do. I've accomplished more than most people my age and posses an undying drive. But, It's wearing me down.

I can't sleep at night because I have so many ideas that come into my head. By trade, I'm a writer (scripts, short stories, journalism, politics) an Illustrator and film maker. This takes a toll and there aren't enough hours in the day.

Another problem I'm having is excessive drinking. I started smoking cigarettes when I was 15, I started drinking at 17 now I average about two bottles of wine a day. I started occastionally doing drugs at 18 and still do them from time to time.

I'm moreover asking if these are common problems. I do this mostly to shut out the constant thoughts and try to be my idea of "normal" or a little while, it also helps me sleep.



-William

Here is my simple answer which, not all of is simple to implement.

First - STOP trying to feel or be your intellectual ideal of "normal" !! go beyond acceptance, Revel In your "unnormalness" LOL

I ramble a bit so bear with me on this one. I am gathering that most of us have long suffered from "insomnia", we all have thoughts that race, our brains moving much faster than everyone elses. Many of the thoughts that used to keep me awake at night were those of me in relation to normal. I admittily had issues there. However, a massive amount of work later in the accepting myself, liking myself, and loving myself, areas; these thoughts no longer make their daily appearance in the layers of chaos that make up my mind. This in itself went a long way to my being able to fall asleep. I know you say that you have become secure in yourself, but trying to be what you consider normal for a little while, utterly contradicts this statement.

Secondly - On the constant thoughts...From one writer to another

While the above had a huge impact on being able to fall asleep, there are still many nights where I still have a problem, usually because there are a myriad of thoughts that just must find their way to paper. I am guessing you can relate. I stopped fighting it and I go with it now, and personally have found this to be most helpful. When the thoughts are few and insignificant in the sceme of things, I read; enter someone else's world and drift off quickly. (Now this doesn't work when reading an intellectually stimulating piece of writing...go for the dribble. I know this requires a certain amount of stooping, but you can't relax when intellectually debating with the author, as if they can hear you anyway! LOL) When they are many or important to me, I get up and spend the varying amounts of time required to get it all out. Luckily my fingers can almost keep up with my mind anymore.

I have learned prevention is the best medicine for me. Try spending at least an hour writing only for yourself. I know this may seem a bit silly, as it sounds like I am telling you keep a diary. This journaling of mine though, looks like no other diary I have ever seen. These thoughts range from personal to global, heavy and most times are not ones I would share with anyone. They would also not be considered to be anything less than a competely disorganized mess in the literary world. (Of course if I am ever feeling the need to take a leisurely vacation in a nicely padded room...) This cuts down on the nightly races immensely! And the need for alcohol.

As for the cigs...I have not figured out how to cure that one at all. If you ever do, let me know!

Also I agree with what CuteGothPirate had to say on this one. Though I find Sudoku a better fit for me personally

[mrs. G.]

I can sympathize with that. I'm hoping the concerta my doc recently prescribed will chill my brain a bit. I had mega probs with drugs & alcohol as a teen & young adult. I still enjoy prescription meds to help me relax & calm my head, but not to the extent I used to. Sleeping is still a prob. for me. I worry about world problems (and get very angry because there seems like nothing I can do to fix anything), creative issues, etc. Maybe we can all get thru this together somehow. I still have much to learn.
Leslie

[Tazjma]

Hey, I feel for you guys. Fortunately, my body is super sensitive to alcohol and other drugs. I do better with homeopathic remedies... Anyway, I learned Reiki years ago and do it on myself when I'm upset or wake up at 3 a.m. I know some of you are already beyond Reiki, but there are other healing modalities showing up on the planet. Maybe some of you are healers. Another thing, physical activities help to ground the body and burn off some of the Indigo rage, which is common among all of us. Dance, walking, swimming, playing with children, martial arts...work up a sweat. And the suggestion to do journaling is great. If you're not a writer, get a tape recorder and tape your ramblings. Write music, paint, sculpt... anything but destroy the physical platform, your body, that houses your beautiful soul so you can do something here NOW. Goddess' blessings on you all.

[kelekena071]

hey WM, same problems for me. brain just doesn't shut off or slow down. I was prescribed ambien a few times, but got addicted. The idea of my brain totally shutting off was so wonderful that I'd think about it all day long with anticipation. Then, when one pill didn't work, I'd take two. I guess I built up a tolerance for the stuff. I just had to quit taking it or eventually it'd hurt me I'm sure.

The only thing that helps me is the fact that I'm self employed. I make my own schedule and I keep it fairly flexible. I sleep when I'm tired. I don't have anything that resembles a normal sleep pattern. Sometimes I go to bed at 11am, sleep for afew hours, sometimes I sleep all day, sometimes I'll sleep at night like most people do. I just sleep when I feel like I need some sleep. As far as keeping my mind busy, I've taken up learning languages. So far I've tackled Spanish, Italian, German, some Hawaiian, Portuguese, Tagalog, Japanese and some Mandarin Chinese. I think learning different forms of communication helps my mind stay open to the odd dreams that I have where different forms of communication (ie colors, sounds, sensations) are occurring.

Good luck, know you're not alone and we're here to listen any time you want to vent on it.

[Hon_y_b]

My mind races every night just like some of you guys are talking about. I've tried explainig to my doctor who looks at me with a puzzled look each and every time I mentioned this to her. All I ever get prescribed are anti depressants...it's always the same ole story your'e going thru menopause and this will help...you're a single parent raising kids in this rough world...your lonely...hell I've survived the worst in my life and no way I am depressed. Depression left me years ago...though I must say lack of sleep can be very exhausting and I can't totally feel good each day. When I do get a good nights sleep I am like a white tornado. I do everything I can do for that day while my enrgy level is up. I am a smoker and can I smoke! I have tried wine, Ambien, Nyquil, hot baths, cold showers and without much success. I spend too much time at night analyzing my dream and if I don't find a solution to my problem in the dream state it bothers me. I feel like I watch reruns evey night. Seriously, I am always exhausted and I fall asleep wherever and whenever possible. My sleep patern is erratic. Everyone thinks I am nuts or going thru some serious illness.

[psuedo-judo]

thanks for the love and light thomas12

I am meditating late at night now, just the mindfulness of breathing, its very relaxing if your tired and can help to shift your thoughts away from global issues into your own self.

I would say dont sit down to do this if you dont want to be centred because that will send you off the rails even more but if you didnt want to be centered you wouldnt sit in the first place so that statement is redundant.

loveandlight JAY

[hrishi]

--xx--x

[.amaranthine.]

I am the same way. I have an interest in learning or taking on just about every hobby or thing that interests me even the slightest which keeps my brain active most of the time. I suffer from insomnia alot, but I think thats the peak of our sensitivity because everything is so quiet, for us nocturnal people this is the best time to do things without normal daytime annoyances. Meditation definatly helps if you stick with it, but it is sometimes hard to even relax enough to meditate lol...I guess one step at a time, and once you get past that first little bit it can be beneficial. works for me.
Also the drug Melatonin which is a neurohormone naturally found in the body, produced and
secreted by the pineal gland can be taken to induce sleep for people with active minds and many other forms of sleep disturbances. I have not tried this but I have heard many good things about it.

[adonis777]

alcohol depletes the body of magnesium.

Magnesium is neede by the nervous system to stay healthy.

Any lack of magnesium causes the nervous system to become sensitive and irritable thereby making it difficult to relax and fall asleep etc.

Look into magnesium citrate and start with a small dose 200mg everyday before going to bed with some purified water and lime juice.

Eventually you can go up to 400 or 500mg a day.

magnesium and calcium work together but people get plenty of calcium from chees and milk.

[adonis777]

Another important supplement is b complex with inositol and choline.

Very important for brain and nervous sustem function.

The world we live in is extremely stressful for so many reasons and that´s where supplements come in to help people withstand the pressure.

But the most important thing of all is meditation, all the supplements in the world won´t help if the mind is not permitted to rest.

[adonis777]

Melatonin can become addictive because by taking it the body is tricked into not producing it altogether.

Play it safe.