How Does Alcohol Affect Your Body And Sleep?

Women were more likely to report being former drinkers than men (24.8% and 12.8% respectively) . Chronic hazardous drinking was indicated in 38% men and 17% women. All sleep variables were dichotomized to form groups that were, as closely as possible, similar in size in relation to the total sample. These were as follows; Sleep duration (Chronic sleep problems were defined as those when participants who reported a sleep problem at three or more data collection phases over the follow-up period. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser . In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

Doctors have found that on its own, alcohol can narrow your upper airway and lead to sleep apnea problems, even if you have never had them before. Studies have shownthat when you get up the next day, you may be less alert because of your drinking the night before, even though you no longer have alcohol left in your body. Having a drink before bed may seem like a way to relax and unwind. However, alcohol is actually detrimental to getting a good night’s rest. It might come as a surprise, but having a few drinks before bed can increase sleep disruptions throughout the night. The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is to change sleep habits as well as any misconceptions about sleep and insomnia that may perpetuate sleep difficulties. Many recovering alcoholics had sleep problems that predate their alcohol dependence.

How does alcohol affect sleep?

Some of these nerve stems produce serotonin, a chemical that has been linked to the onset of sleep and with the regulation of slow-wave sleep. Other nerve cells produce norepinephrine, which has been found to regulate REM sleep and facilitate arousal. Verywell Mind’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Robinson RW, White DP, Zwillich CW. Moderate alcohol ingestion increases upper airway resistance in normal subjects. Block AJ, Hellard DW, Slayton PC. Effect of alcohol ingestion on breathing of asymptomatic subjects. Tachibana H, Izumi T, Honda S, Horiguchi I, Manabe E, Takemoto T. A study of the impact of occupational and domestic factors on insomnia among industrial workers of a manufacturing company in Japan.

• “As we get older, our sleep efficiency decreases and we have more light stage-one sleep,” says Dr. Sandra Horowitz, a clinical instructor with Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine.
• Alcohol circulates through water in the body, so women are more likely to have higher blood alcohol concentrations than men after consuming the same amount of alcohol.
• Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the individual.
• Consequently, older adults who have a drink before bedtime can experience an increased risk for falls and injuries if they get up and walk during the night.
• Most heavy drinkers who quit drinking find it difficult to sleep during the early days of sobriety; it is one of the most common alcohol withdrawal symptoms and one that causes many to relapse.

Certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in health literacy, Matt leverages his experience in addiction research to provide hope to those struggling with substance use disorders. If someone is experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia, treatment is needed. The relationship between alcohol and insomnia is complicated and multifaceted. Anywhere between 25 to 72% of people in alcohol treatment programs experience some kind of sleep problem.1 In some cases, people may have insomnia and use alcohol as a sleep aid.

Understanding and Managing Sleep Problems Associated with Alcohol Misuse

The problem may also be linked to the after-effects of metabolizing alcohol. For instance, your levels of epinephrine can spike several hours after drinking. This spike could lead to you tossing, turning, and waking up throughout the night. Alcohol also relaxes your throat muscles, which can worsen snoring and sleep apnea. It’s true that drinking alcohol can make the first few hours of your sleep more restful.

Zolpidem and triazolam produced comparable effects on these measures. The authors suggested that trazodone has less abuse potential than triazolam and may be a viable alternative to benzodiazepine hypnotics in individuals with histories of alcohol or drug abuse. In 1994, Gillin et al. measured REM sleep during the admission of patients to a one-month alcoholism treatment program. Higher levels of REM predicted relapse within three months after hospital discharge in 80% of patients. In other studies, those who eventually relapsed exhibited a higher proportion of REM and a lower proportion of SWS at baseline, compared with those who remained abstinent. It is believed that sleep problems in alcoholics increase rates of relapse as evidenced by subjective and polysomnographic sleep predictors (Brower et al., 1998).

Can Alcohol Cause Sleep Apnea?

Staring at the clock while you are trying to fall asleep can be very counterproductive as it can increase stress and anxiety levels, making it more insomnia caused by alcohol difficult to fall asleep. Keeping your bedroom clock turned away from your bed may help reduce the temptation to peek and see what time it is.

Alcohol has been shown to negatively impact sleep, but this comes down to the individual. Drinking in moderation is generally considered safe but every individual reacts differently to alcohol. As a result, alcohol’s impact on sleep largely depends on the individual.

Alcohol’s Effect on Sleep Through Other Mechanisms

Petrucelli N, Roehrs TA, Wittig RM, Roth T. The biphasic effects of ethanol on sleep latency. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date.