Exploring cognitive behavioral therapy with a licensed therapist can help get your thoughts organized and out in the open. When you share your thoughts, you no longer need to hold on to Sobriety them in your mind. Without a routine, your body is continually guessing when it should rest and when it should be active. While each person will have different insomnia symptoms, there are some things you can do to shorten your struggle with insomnia.
- While the urge to reach for a cup of coffee during withdrawal might be strong, caffeinated drinks can worsen your sleep struggles.
- If you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or attaining restful sleep, you could have insomnia.
- But when you drink regularly over time, your brain adapts to alcohol.
- It is characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, which can lead to daytime drowsiness, trouble concentrating, and other negative health effects.
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Therapy can be a valuable tool in addressing the root causes of your sleep difficulties and finding healthier alternatives to alcohol for sleep. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a commonly used therapeutic approach that focuses on changing trouble sleeping without alcohol negative thought patterns and behaviors related to sleep. Electronic devices emit blue light, which can suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep.
Can lifestyle changes improve sleep during alcohol withdrawal?
Unpack your darkest circles under your eyes, and let’s walk through the sleepless town once ruled by alcohol. Navigate with valuable insights and find solace in proven solutions. Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (found in products like Benadryl or Tylenol PM) can cause exaggerated drowsiness, confusion, and even rapid heart rate when combined with alcohol.
Remedy #10: Medications For Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol addiction can be difficult and potentially dangerous to recover from on your own. Severe alcohol withdrawal can be deadly, so heavy alcohol users should not attempt to wean off alcohol without the help of a professional medical detox facility. Alcohol addiction treatment will begin with a detox period that focuses on managing any uncomfortable or severe withdrawal symptoms that arise. After detox ends, patients begin a rehab program that teaches them how to cope without alcohol and maintain sobriety. When considering natural sleep aids, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider.
The Role of Anxiety and Stress
When you stop drinking, your brain may rebound by increasing REM sleep, sometimes leading to an overload of vivid dreaming or even nightmares. This REM sleep rebound can be disruptive, leading to more fragmented sleep and daytime fatigue. REM sleep – the dream-stage of sleep, where most restorative processes occur – is adversely affected by alcohol. After drinking, you might notice that you dream less, which is a typical indication of shortened REM sleep. Throw alcohol into the mix, and you’ve got a cocktail that could lead to erratic behavior, memory loss (hello, sleepwalking or sleep-driving!), and severe respiratory depression. Olaniyi O. Osuntokun is a Neurology & Psychiatry Specialist based in Conroe, Texas, and Lafayette, Indiana.
