The Link Between Alcohol and Sleep Disturbances

Alcohol can be a real problem for some people. They might start out by experimenting with it, but then, if they find they like it, they can come to rely on it to regulate their moods. Once you have reached that point, you are well on your way toward addiction. 

You can always look into an outpatient program for addictions if you need one, or you can also try an inpatient program if you feel that’s a better option. If you’re not at that point, though, you might find that you’re drinking a lot before you try to go to sleep every night.   

This can make more of a difference than you might imagine. We’ll talk about the established link between sleep disturbances and alcohol right now.   

What Are Sleep Disturbances? 

The term “sleep disturbances” is a fairly wide-ranging one. Generally speaking, it means a condition or situation where your sleep is disturbed at some point during the night. You’re either not sleeping soundly, or else you wake up several times and then have to try and fall back asleep. 

There can be natural causes for it. For instance, you may have an overactive bladder. You might need to get up multiple times during the night to try to empty it. This can be more of a problem the older you get. 

Alcohol can also cause sleep disturbances, though. What’s interesting is that some people believe the opposite. You might have someone tell you they drink more because it helps them pass out at night if they have severe insomnia. 

Does Alcohol Really Make You Sleep Better? 

In reality, though, alcohol does not make you sleep better. If you consume a significant amount of alcohol because you can’t fall asleep, it’s true that it might make you pass out. However, the sleep you get from excessive alcohol consumption is not very restful. You tend not to sleep very deeply this way, and you might also wake up several times during the night. 

You can use a fitness wearable or your smartphone to monitor the amount and quality of sleep you get with and without alcohol. You’ll likely find that even if the alcohol allows you to fall asleep faster, the sleep you get will not be as deep or restful as what you can get without it.   

What Else Can You Do to Help You Sleep?   

If insomnia is bothering you, there are other solutions you might try that can work better than alcohol consumption. For instance, you can make sure you get to bed at the same time every night to establish a routine. You can also get blackout curtains for your windows to make the room darker.   

You might try an over-the-counter sleep aid. If you find that’s not working, you can get a stronger prescription from a qualified medical professional. 

Alcohol is normally more of an impediment to healthy sleep than it is a sleep aid. Keep that in mind if you usually drink excessively before bedtime.