Addictions and Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders and addictions, any kind of addiction, are often two sides of the same coin. And addiction to drugs or alcohol or type of obsessive behavior can lead to an extreme loss of sleep. Similarly, sleep disorders can lead to an addiction, particularly to drugs or alcohol in a desperate effort to get the sleep your body is craving. Learn how sleep disorders and addictions can alter your lifestyle, and how you can change your present way of life into a balanced pattern of sleeping regularly and living healthy.
Addictions
The list could be endless. Individuals who have a tendency to get addicted to behaviors or substances could tell you an innumerable list of ways to turn a casual habit into a life-altering and disruptive behavior. Oftentimes, when addictions get severe, normal patterns of sleeping and waking are disrupted. Once a lack of sleep ensues, your body changes, often for the worse. Without sleep you could quickly spiral into bouts of any or combinations of the following:
- Depression
- Night terrors
- Sleep walking
- Insomnia
- Anger or violent behavior
- Stress or inability to cope in everyday situations
- Memory loss
- Impaired ability to complete functions
- Mental disorders
The body needs sleep. When drugs or other substances enter your system, it changes the way your body reacts to everything. Initially abusers find a rush or sense of enjoyment, but after the substances leave the system, your body is left to its own devices. Put in over-drive, sleep is driven further away as addictions become stronger.
What Addictions Cause Sleep Disorders?
An addiction does not always come from illegal substance like heroin or cocaine. While those drugs can and does cause sleep disorders, legal drugs that slowly cause dependence and then addiction can sneak up on individuals who realize, too late, that their addiction is costing them their most precious natural health benefit: sleep.
Common Drugs that cause sleep disorders:
• Nonprescription drugs with caffeine – Exedrin, No-Doz, most cough and cold medications.
• Pseudophedrine – brand names include Afrinol, Contac Cold, Nasofed, Sudafed, and Triaminic
• Prescription drugs – all of the following drugs could lead to sleep disorders:
• High-blood pressure drugs
• Hormone therapy and contraceptives
• Diet pills
• Antidepressants
• Steroid based drugs
• Respiratory drugs
• ADD/ADHD drugs
Sleep Disorders
When individuals first start using legal drugs, they are trying to correct a medical problem. It could be a simple cold, or something as complex as a behavioral issue. The drugs could initially be used with good intentions to solve the medical problem. Sometimes however, individuals find they like the way they feel while taking the drugs; more alert, focused, or just generally “good” feeling. Maybe they sleep just a little less, but they hardly notice.
As the lack of sleep builds, a disorder can set in. Insomnia or the inability to fall or stay asleep can set in, making sleep even more difficult. As time goes on, if the individual continues to use the drugs and loses sleep, serious health and mental complications can arise, leading to a severe loss in the quality of life.
Managing Your Addiction and Resolving Your Sleep Issues
Fortunately, at the Delray Recovery Center, we know how to tackle both issues at once. We have a number of psychological services that can delve down and discover the reasoning behind your addiction, and the medical doctors who can help you find a better prescription to avoid severe sleep loss.
Our 5 phase step down model helps anyone suffering from sleep disorders and any kind of addiction to rediscover the balance they need. Once you have found a path to healthy living, we take it a step further and counsel you to help you maintain your new life. Don’t live with an addiction. It can rob you of your sleep, and eventually of your life. Contact one of our counselors today.
Contact Delray Recovery Center Today
If you or your loved one has found themselves in a losing battle with addiction, please seek help with Delray Recovery Center. You are not alone in this fight. We understand what you are going through and we are here to help.
Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If voicing your struggle causes anxiety, please simply fill out our form. We look forward to hearing from you.
