This can potentially develop into alcohol dependence or addiction. Fortunately, there are treatments and coping techniques that can help you get better rest, which can help you feel better during alcohol recovery. If you are experiencing sleep problems, be sure to talk to your doctor about your options.
- This taxing process breaks down about 90 percent of the alcohol you consumed to clear it out of your system (2, 3).
- Most of your dreams occur in this stage but this is also the stage that contributes to emotional processing, mood, memory, and more.
- These techniques are particularly effective for those who can’t sleep without alcohol as they help simulate the relaxing effect that alcohol might have had.
- Even though alcohol may help you fall asleep, it interferes with the quality of your sleep.
- If you’ve had a lot to drink, you might even have a hangover to contend with the next night, which won’t make sleeping any easier.
- Insomnia is one of the largest setback triggers for people in recovery from an alcohol use disorder.
Can’t Sleep without Alcohol? Drinking to Fall Asleep
The negative impact on your circadian rhythm is another major explanation for why many people face sleep issues when they decide to quit alcohol. The silver lining exists, with patients noticing a significant improvement in their sleep patterns as the body recalibrates its circadian rhythm. You may also be falsely attributing sleep improvements to alcohol, or factors a sleep disorder or poor sleep hygiene are keeping you awake. If you have an alcohol dependence problem, you could be going through withdrawal. When alcohol has been introduced to the sleep cycle, the functions of the brain are impeded, and the cycles become disrupted. This sleep cycle disruption is what causes the person to feel tired and “fuzzy” the next day and can lead to further sleep issues, such asinsomniaoralcohol addictionover time.
If sleep issues persist despite maintaining sobriety and practicing good sleep hygiene, it may be beneficial to seek professional The Neurobiology of Cocaine Addiction PMC help. Sleep specialists can provide targeted interventions and treatments to address any underlying sleep disorders or persistent sleep difficulties. The duration and severity of alcohol use play a significant role in the recovery timeline.
How to sleep with a cough: Sleep positions to stop coughing
Sleep and circadian rhythm disruption from alcohol also contribute to next-day tiredness, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Even if it doesn’t present as a full-fledged hangover, alcohol-related sleep loss negatively affects mood and performance. The most effective time of day for the body to metabolize alcohol, according to research? That’s right, the traditional “happy hour” time is actually when the body is most prepared to process that cocktail.
How Does Alcohol Affect Your Sleep?
Thankfully, these effects are temporary and subside as the body gradually acclimates to the absence of alcohol. Furthermore, alcohol’s influence extends beyond a single night’s rest. Chronic use can lead to the development of sleep disorders, including insomnia and sleep apnea.
People recovering from addictions may not return to normal sleep patterns for six months or longer. However, the initial few days of withdrawal can be particularly troubling. Sleep deprivation only makes the experience of withdrawal more uncomfortable. If you’ve entered a stage in your life where you can’t sleep without alcohol, it can be challenging to make a change. As with any sleep aid, natural or otherwise, it’s crucial to use them responsibly and as part of a broader approach to improving sleep hygiene.
However, if you continue to have sleeping difficulties, reach out to a sleep specialist. Cut yourself off early to eliminate most of the alcohol from your system before you sleep. And drink one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you have to give your liver a chance to catch up in the detoxification process. Once it hits the central nervous system, alcohol—which is classified as a drug—has a sedative effect. That’s why, after a drink or two, you begin to feel relaxed, inhibitions are lowered, and you may start to feel tired. When you drink alcohol, it goes through the same process as any other food or drinks you consume.