What is this word sleep you speak of?

[The Albatross]

k. So far as substance use/abuse/addiction - compensating with alcohol drives the depressive cycle. Co-occurring behaviors PTSD/SUDS (Substance Use Disorder Syndrome) drops a person into the lowest prognosis for recovery. That's my gig but I had to deal with my alcoholism before I could make any head way on the PTSD stuff. But if that's an issue for you, when you do get a shrink, co-current treatment (treatment for both) is considered beneficial now.

I was diagnosed at around 50 but had all the signs and symptoms from a very young age.

 

[AricRiley]

Oh no im good now on drinking... I started drinking at 12 and smoking pot i think around 13 or 14... I quit drinking Nov. 11 2016. I was on some heavy drugs until prision so Feb 2008 was the last time I used any drugs... But ya been sober almost a year now... Never really think about it unless things get really really bad but havnt relapsed... Dont think I will on that part...

 

[The Albatross]

Good to hear. Congratulations on your sobriety. I expect that a lot of your sleep issues were there for a reason... the streets, prison... but it takes time to put beneficial habits conducive to sleep in action. I would encourage you to continue to try and to document for yourself privately in an journal or in the member trauma diary section so that you can read it back from time to time and track your progress or your stumbling/difficult areas. Know thy self... then pick a generally favorable direction and try and keep trying because you and your family and kids are worth it k?

Set a goal, make a plan, and do it... there's no fail, it's learning what works for you, k?