Many people who consume alcohol regularly claim it helps them sleep. Unfortunately, that is not true. Alcohol has the opposite effect. Typically, when alcohol use disorder and sleep are combined, it results in disrupted sleep patterns, reduced REM sleep, and increased light sleep. It is one of the many adverse effects of alcohol abuse.
If you or a loved one is dealing with alcohol use disorder and sleep issues, BoardPrep Recovery Center® has an alcohol rehab for young adults in Florida that can help. Our experienced team of clinicians can provide you with evidence-based treatment that focuses on addressing the underlying reasons behind your alcohol abuse and working to help improve your sleep quality. Contact us today at 866.796.4720 to learn more about our programs and get started on the path toward recovery.
Alcohol Use Disorder and Sleep
Alcohol affects sleep in many ways:
Sleep Rhythm Disruption
Studies have found that drinking alcohol before bed can lead to slow-wave sleep patterns (delta activity). This means that people do not get as much deep sleep as they should, and that can affect memory formation and learning.
Alpha activity, which is another type of brain pattern, is also affected. This activity should only happen when people rest, but when people consume alcohol, it happens while sleeping. This keeps the brain from entering restorative sleep, which is why many people who drink before bed often don’t wait up rested.
Interrupts Circadian Rhythm
Your circadian rhythm is your body’s natural timing for sleep. When people drink alcohol, their circadian rhythm can become interrupted. While they get tired very quickly and fall asleep, the chemicals that induce that feeling plummet shortly afterward. This makes people wake up before they are completely rested.
Blocks REM Sleep
REM sleep is highly important – it’s restorative sleep. Without enough restorative sleep through REM sleep, people don’t recover from the day before. This can cause them to have concentration problems, memory difficulties, and even suffer from impaired fine motor skills. This can leave individuals feeling tired the next day, even though they may have gotten a certain amount of hours of sleep. In addition, alcohol before bedtime.
Breathing Problems
Alcohol is a depressant, so it makes the body relax, and that includes the throat. While this may sound like a good thing, it’s not. It can lead to snoring and sleep apnea, which seriously disrupts sleep.
Increased Urination Frequency
As anyone who consumes alcoholic beverages knows, it can lead to many more bathroom visits. This means interrupted sleep and less sleep overall.
Dangers of Using Alcohol to Sleep
Not only does it reduce the quality of sleep, but alcohol use disorder and sleep issues can also lead to more dangers. When people rely on alcohol to fall asleep, they may drink more than they realize. Alcohol is a dangerous substance that leads to impaired judgment and even worse consequences in some cases. Death is possible in extreme cases.
Other Effects of Alcohol Abuse
Sleep is not the only effect of alcohol abuse. Unfortunately, alcohol has been linked to many detrimental health effects on the body, including:
- Heart disease and stroke
- Liver damage
- Cancer
- Birth defects in children whose mothers drank heavily while pregnant
Unfortunately, people who abuse alcohol risk more than just physical health problems. They also have higher rates of depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health issues. Alcohol affects the brain and its ability to regulate mood and emotion.
Improve Your Sleep at BoardPrep Recovery Center®
Alcohol use disorder and sleep issues are a dangerous combination. If you’re struggling with an alcohol use disorder, BoardPrep Recovery Center®’s alcohol rehab for young adults in Florida can help. Contact us today by filling out our online form or by calling us at 866.796.4720. A brighter future and a healthier night’s sleep are within reach.
