How Long to Wait Between Drinking Alcohol and Bedtime

Even though alcohol can make you feel sleepy, it may impact your overall quality of sleep. If you go to bed with alcohol still in your system, you may experience headaches, frequent awakenings, night sweats, more intense snoring, and nightmares. Statistics show that 5.3 percent of all people 12 and older in the U.S. have an alcohol use disorder.12 And many others might deal with problematic drinking, but fall into the gray area. All this is to say that “just quitting” isn’t always easy, even when alcohol use harms your sleep and well-being. The good news is that these sleep disruptions are temporary, and any insomnia you experience will likely resolve as you persevere through recovery. You may experience your most severe sleep disturbances in the first week, but most people find that it eases up with time.

This is because alcohol works as a central nervous system depressant. Living a sober life has advantages that extend beyond the absence of alcohol or substance use. Embracing sobriety can lead to profound positive transformations, both physically and mentally. Depression is typically viewed as a chronic condition, meaning that while it can’t be cured necessarily, it can be treated and well-managed to where your symptoms don’t interfere with your life. Other physical signs of withdrawal may include tremors, shakiness, nausea, vomiting, headache, sweating, heart palpitations, and more. However, certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification.

What are the rates of co-occurrence of insomnia and alcohol problems?

When people in America notice they’ve developed issues falling asleep, their first reaction is often to have a drink. This may help many fall asleep on occasion; however, the use of alcohol, even a single serving, will make it more difficult for someone to reach deep sleep, also known as REM sleep. Without deep sleep, our mind and body are unable to do what’s necessary to prepare for the next day. Insomnia, the most common sleep disorder, is marked by periods of difficulty falling or staying asleep. Insomnia occurs despite the opportunity and desire to sleep, and leads to excessive daytime sleepiness and other negative effects. This article reviews the relationship between alcohol and insomnia, including how alcohol can affect sleep quality alongside the risks of poor sleep quality.

Keep in mind that for people with AUD, sleeping issues may persist through the withdrawal phase. However, napping makes it harder for you to fall asleep at night. You should avoid napping during the day to sleep better at night insomnia after drinking and make your naps short if you do take one. Results show that overall, 26.2 percent of participants had two or less binge drinking days per week, on average, and 3.1 percent had more than two days per week, on average.

How does alcohol affect sleep quality?

Alcohol may be consumed in beer, wine, and hard liquors like vodka, rum, gin, and whiskey. It is more often consumed at night, also called a nightcap, and may negatively affect your sleep. While alcohol can make you feel tired at first, it can also disturb your sleep as it wears off. We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery. Submit your number to receive a call today from a treatment provider. If you or a loved one is ready to overcome an alcohol addiction, reach out today.

• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), sleep deprivation decreases the sensitivity of dopamine receptors.
• Conversely, someone else could sleep soundly even after several shots.
• Unfortunately, withdrawal and recovery can lead to problems with sleep, which may play a role in exacerbating drug cravings and increasing the risk of relapse.
• Individuals who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are also particularly affected by insomnia.
• Shaking this addiction and learning to sleep without alcohol can be difficult.
• Insomnia disorders are more likely to have a chronic course, to require independent treatment, and may contribute more directly to relapse during alcohol recovery.