So drinkers often feel groggy and unrested even after a long night of ‘drunken’ slumber. Though we know alcohol isn’t a great way to get to sleep long-term, it can feel like a good choice when you’re struggling with insomnia. However, the more reliant you become on using alcohol to sleep, the harder it’s going to be to change your routine again. If you’ve entered a stage in your life where you can’t sleep without alcohol, it can be challenging to make a change. Alcohol can cause or aggravate a wide range of health issues, from liver diseases to heart problems.
Manage Stress and Anxiety
Our medical team specializes in managing withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia, through safe and effective protocols. Studies show that people who drink alcohol regularly are more likely to develop long-term insomnia. And the side effects like irritability and tiredness the next day can impact your life and those around you. Insomnia is defined as regular trouble falling asleep and/or waking up throughout the night.
- With dedication and effort, you can break free from the cycle of alcohol dependency and enjoy restful nights of deep, rejuvenating sleep.
- It wasn’t easy, but getting into a recovery program was life changing.
Why Sleep Problems Threaten Recovery
Sleep apnoea is a condition that affects your breathing while you sleep. It narrows your airways causing you to wake hundreds of times per night in severe cases. In time, you will wake up feeling refreshed and with plenty of energy for your day ahead. Once the depressant wears off you are left with the stimulant and stress hormones which, if you’re anything like me, wakes you up leaving you restless and unable to fall back into a fitful sleep.
Exercise Regularly but Not Before Bed
This prolonged strain can lead to serious conditions like alcoholic fatty liver disease and, eventually, cirrhosis. On average, the liver metabolizes one standard drink per hour, but this rate can vary. Residual alcohol and its metabolites can affect sleep quality even after you feel “sober,” so planning an alcohol cutoff well before bed remains the safest bet for restful sleep. Moderate drinking is often defined as one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men (according to some public health guidelines). But “safe” levels can differ widely based on can’t sleep without alcohol individual health, age, and other factors.
As sobriety continues into the first few months, many individuals experience a more profound normalization of their sleep patterns and circadian rhythm. The body’s internal clock, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle, becomes more synchronized without the disruptive influence of alcohol. During this phase, the body is adjusting to the absence of alcohol, and the brain is recalibrating its neurotransmitter balance. Some people may experience vivid dreams or nightmares as REM sleep, which was previously suppressed by alcohol, begins to rebound. If you think you can’t sleep without alcohol, your best bet is to switch your reliance on alcohol for something else you can do each night, like drinking a cup of tea. Figuring out how to sleep without alcohol can be an exhausting process in its own right.
Medications that cause sleepwalking: The pills that keep you up at night
These might include occasional difficulty falling asleep or maintaining continuous sleep throughout the night. Sleep problems during alcohol withdrawal are a recognized medical issue that is typically covered under addiction treatment benefits. Insurance often covers medically supervised detox programs that include management of withdrawal insomnia, as well as ongoing treatment for sleep disorders related to recovery. Learning healthy ways to cope with insomnia without alcohol is crucial for long-term recovery success.