Addictions & Sleep

When you have an addiction, sleep disturbances occur frequently. You might believe that another glass of wine, beer, or alcoholic drink does not interfere with your sleep. On the contrary, drinking alcohol and being addicted to alcohol makes you sleep worse. You may fall asleep temporarily due to the alcohol. Yet, the quality of sleep is not enough when there is too much alcohol in the bloodstream. 

An addiction to smoking does not make you sleepy but may cause nervousness. It makes you want to crave a cigarette in the middle of the night leaving you with less sleep time. Also, smoking and drinking alcohol causes the brain to function improperly making your nervous system more active. Combining alcohol, stimulants, and other substances makes you hallucinate and sleep disorders. Sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome get worse while withdrawing from an addiction. 

Other addictions such as pornography, writing sexual text messages, and too much sexual intimacy make you more alert. But it is also a temporary solution for getting sleep. Doing these addictions stimulates your brain and keeps you awake at night. Too much mental stimulation makes you feel tired the next day. Therefore, not taking care of addiction makes you feel bad about yourself. 

Addictions do not facilitate your mind and body to sleep better. It makes you have insomnia until you do something to stop the feelings that provoke your addiction. Addiction is more than a bad habit. It affects your mental, physical, and behavioral actions. Addictions can also cause you to have a nervous breakdown and mood changes along with less sleep. Additionally, it makes it difficult for your friends, relatives, and acquaintances to understand you because of the damage that is done to the brain. 

It is painful to see someone you love or admire be filled with brain fog, fatigue, and always feeling alert; But not knowing how to help him or her with their addictions makes you feel hopeless. It is a confusing, frustrating, and challenging time to see him or her outside of their addiction. Do not give money, alcohol, or other substances to someone who is withdrawing from an addiction. Even if you feel sorry for him or her, only they can overcome their addiction. You cannot change them or make them quit even if you have a child with them.

Be informed about how addictions affect the brain and the entire body. If you are struggling with an addiction, be conscious of the possible withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms make your sleep cycle to be less, and your brain cannot stop asking for the addiction. Irritability, irrational thinking, less energy, and less concentration leds to indecisiveness. Insomnia can last for months or years because of the consequences of being addicted to substances, alcohol, or other addictions. 

There are two types of insomnia which are a stress response the body gives due to chronic conditions, addictions, or other causes. It can be short-term or long-term depending on how severe the addiction is. Chronic conditions can exasperate because of stress and the withdrawal of the addiction. This can continue until the brain stops asking for what it craves. Moreover, full recovery is possible to improve your sleep through professional help. 

Managing your withdrawal symptoms with exercise, healthy eating, and learning to calm your nervous system. Controlling your stress triggers emotions that provoke you to do your addiction. Make a sleep schedule and a nightly routine to feel peaceful. Take a warm bath at night and eliminate arguments with anyone. Do self-care and these listed items to help you sleep. 

1. Limit your screen time throughout the day and four hours before going to sleep.
2. If you wake up in the middle of the night, read a paperback book or write in your journal to relax. 
3. Play classical music or nature sounds for one or two hours before going to sleep. 
4. Release your negative thoughts and negative emotions by speaking to someone or by doing artistic hobbies. 
5. Read a book that is less stimulating for your brain.
6. Exercise before and after dinner to help your body relax.
7. Stretch your muscles and find a comfortable position to sleep.
8. Do not have a heavy meal at night and avoid watching the late-night news. 
9. Practice meditation by yourself or with your spouse to slow down before going to sleep.
10. Keep a worrying journal on your nightstand and write in it when you wake up at night. 

Consult with your doctor, therapist, psychologist, or behavioral services for tips on how to improve your sleep as you withdraw from your addictions. Inform your doctor about your addictions to certain medications and change your medications. It takes a lot of strength and willpower to get rid of an addiction. Let yourself be transformed as you let go of alcohol, substances, and other addictions. Here are resources regarding addictions and sleep. 

 

Alcohol Ruins Sleep, Find Out Why (According to Science)-Alcohol Rehab Help Organization:

Alcohol Ruins Sleep, Find Out Why (According to Science) (alcoholrehabhelp.org)

Sleep & Addiction Recovery-Why It's Important and Tips for Better Sleep:

Sleep & Addiction Recovery: Why It's Important & Tips for Better Sleep (rehabs.com)

Connections Between Sleep and Substance Use Disorders-National Institute on Drug Abuse:

Connections between Sleep and Substance Use Disorders | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (nih.gov)

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