I’ve been having some crunchiness and crackling and occasional flareups of pain in my jaw. It’s got worse, and of course the other life change Ive made is quitting drinking, almost 160 days ago. I went to a jaw specialist today, and they say I need to wear a mouth guard at night to stop grinding in my sleep, which is also messing up my molars. I am wondering, did the alcohol in my system used to relax my muscles so I’d grind less? Not thinking thats a reason to drink, it just seems interesting. I think i also need to do more to calm myself down. I do yoga in the mornings, and a lot of exercise, but maybe I need a better evening calming ritual. Im kind of a tense person, even when Im doing a lot of yoga etc. Does anybody else here grind teeth? And does drinking affect it?
My partner grinds his teeth in sleep. It’s massively worce when he has had a drink. That bad that if he has had even 1 beer before bed then he knows he has to sleep in spare room.. So seems the opposite of you!!. In my view drinking only contribute’s to it.. in your case it must numb it ?? 
In the veneing or before bed rub the pressure points in between each finger. Count to 10 and the do the next one pressing firmly on each one. While doing this consentrate on your breathing deep breathe in hold for 5 seconds release for 5 seconds, theres your 10 seconds. Its very relaxing if you give it time to work and it can help you sleep also
@Blueroom, I feel for you. I am clencher, not the grinder. My teeth weren’t lined up and my bite was off. Long story short, after bio feedback and 2 jaw surgeries to repair the joint and then my bite. It involved having my Jaws wired for six weeks. That was back in the 80s. I recommend the night guard to protect your teeth. Cutting back on caffeine or giving it up may help. I still clench when anxious and during the night. The headaches are an added bonus of grinders and clenchers. I am 19 days and used alcohol to relax. I still clenched when I drank. I was stressed about how much I was drinking and stressed out trying to hide it. I hope sleep will improve over time. Protect your teeth. I have camomile tea before bed to chill out.
Thank you all so much. Thank you for the suggestions, @Burk, I will try that. Sounds so nice. I will also remember not to think drinking cures anything, even this, if it can make it worse, as for @weevee’s partner. And that it can get worse if Im not careful. I am so sorry about the jaw wiring, @doll. It sounds horrible.
I love caffeine. It’s my last remaining addiction. Maybe its time to switch to herbal tea only. It seems scary, but I know many people do manage to wake up without coffee, so it must be possible. I remember @Oliverjava had good tips on quitting caffeine. Steeling myself for that.
I am a tooth grinder and I wear a nightguard every night…helps so much. I still grind, but I am not wearing down my teeth. It was WAY worse when I was drinking.
Caffeine and stress do make it worse. Stress especially. Yoga? Meditation? Exercise? Any of those sound do able? I listen to relaxation music while falling asleep…peaceful. 
I do one cup of coffee in the AM…anymore or later in the day amd I sleep like crap…sucks, but it could be worse.
Hope you find a solution to chilling out more and for sure get a mouthguard…so sexy! 
I already work out for an hour most days, plus a half hour of yoga, plus walk around 4-5 miles. I only drink one cup of coffee a day, and usually 2 of caffeine tea, but maybe that has to go. I’m definitely getting the sexy mouthguard. My boyfriend is thrilled.
Thank you all so much!
Add an eye mask to block out light @Blueroom… ups the sexy quotient. 
Sounds like you are taking great care of yourself!
Add earplugs to complete the Ensemble!
My kids are going to tease me mercilessly. But I can take it. I’ll get revenge once they start braces.