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Drugs and Sleep

Sleep is a wonderful and essential way for the body to rest and recharge. Many common drugs, both legal and illegal, can interfere with getting the restorative sleep we all need. Understanding the relationship between drugs and sleep is the first step toward getting a better night's sleep.

Alcohol

Because alcohol depresses the central nervous system, many people think it will help them sleep. The truth is just the opposite. While alcohol may make you feel drowsy and even help you fall asleep, alcohol-induced sleep is of a very poor quality.

Alcohol causes waking during the night and only allows the body to sleep in the lighter stages of sleep. It prevents REM sleep (the stage in which we dream), which is needed to maintain physical and mental health.

To prevent sleep problems caused by alcohol, avoid alcoholic beverages two to four hours before bedtime.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants help people battle depression by slowing the removal of chemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine from the brain. These neurotransmitters help control mood but also affect other functions such as:

eating
sleep
thinking.

Antidepressants can cause both sleepiness and insomnia, depending on which drug is prescribed. To avoid sleep problems from antidepressants, discuss the problem with your doctor. She may advise you to change the time of day you take your medicine or may prescribe a different antidepressant that causes you fewer side effects.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, cocoa, chocolate, cola, some energy drinks, some soda and tea. It affects the central nervous system and produces a feeling of energy and alertness. Because it stimulates the mind and body, caffeine disrupts sleep in the following ways:

alteration of normal sleep stages
delay of sleep onset
poorer sleep quality
reduction of total hours of sleep.

This sleep disturbance occurs whether caffeine is consumed right before bedtime or throughout the day. Over time, some people develop a tolerance to caffeine and are able to sleep well with caffeine use. Others never develop this tolerance.

To relieve sleep difficulties associated with caffeine, try avoiding any caffeinated food or beverages four to six hours before bedtime. If you are very sensitive to caffeine, you may have to further reduce or even eliminate caffeine consumption to get a good night's sleep.

Cold and Allergy Medicines

When you are suffering from colds and allergies, both prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines are available to offer relief. Unfortunately, these medicines may also affect your sleep.

Antihistamines provide relief from congestion by blocking histamine and drying up the sinuses and nasal passages. They also make you sleepy. The sleep you get after taking antihistamines is not good quality sleep, however. These medicines induce only light sleep and do not allow the body to go into deeper sleep.

Decongestants stimulate the body and constrict the blood vessels in the nose, making it easier to breathe. Because of the stimulating effect of these medicines, getting to sleep may be difficult when using them.

To avoid sleep troubles caused by cold and allergy medications, talk with your doctor. He may advise you to take your medicines at different times or may prescribe or recommend other medication.

Cocaine

Cocaine is an illegal drug that acts as a topical anesthetic and central nervous system stimulant. It produces insomnia as well as a host of other unpleasant health affects. To prevent insomnia caused by cocaine, avoid the use of this illegal drug.

Nicotine

Nicotine stimulates the central nervous system and makes it difficult to relax and fall asleep. Because it is an addictive substance, it is possible to begin to experience withdrawal symptoms only a few hours after going to bed. This can produce restless sleep or waking during the night. To avoid sleep problems caused by nicotine, consider cutting back on its use or quitting altogether.

Resources

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (n.d.). Allergic Diseases and Cognitive Impairment. Retrieved January 5, 2008, from the ACAAI Online Web site: http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/cogn.htm.

The Cleveland Clinic (2008). Drug and Alcohol Related Sleep Disorders. Retrieved January 5, 2008, from the Cleveland Clinic Web site: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3700/
3716.asp?index=12118.

Erowid (2007). Cocaine Effects. Retrieved January 5, 2008, from the Erowid Web site: http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/cocaine/cocaine_effects.shtml.

HealthPlace.com (2006). Antidepressants; Medication for Depression. Retrieved January 5, 2008, from the HealthyPlace.com Web site: http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/depression/
treatment/antidepressants/index.asp.

Helpguide.org (2007). Insomnia and Sleep Problems: Causes, Types and Effects. Retrieved January 5, 2008, from the Helpguide.org Web site: http://www.helpguide.org/life/insomnia_causes_diagnosis.htm.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2003). Information about Caffeine Dependence. Retrieved January 5, 2008, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Bayview Medical Center Web site: http://www.caffeinedependence.org/
caffeine_dependence.html#sleep.

Little, Nan (2006). What Causes Sleep Difficulty? Retrieved January 5, 2008, from the Insight Journal Web site: http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com/
wellness_concerns/sleep/sleep_problem_causes.php.

University of Colorado (n.d.). Sleep; drugs. Retrieved January 5, 2008, from the University of Colorado Wardenburg Health Center Web site: http://www.colorado.edu/studentgroups/wellness/index.html.

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