It’s not news that excessive drinking as a teenager can cause a host of medical problems – both in the short- and long-term. Most recently, however, researchers have linked alcohol consumption during adolescents to daytime sleepiness and insomnia. The findings are consistent with associations found between insomnia and alcohol among older adolescents and adults, say researchers.
For the study, which was published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, researchers examined the associations between alcohol use and four sleep-related issues:
- Initial insomnia
- Sleep irregularity (defined as difference in weekday and weekend bedtimes)
- Daytime sleepiness
- Disturbed sleep
Study participants were asked to complete surveys that questioned the following:
- The amount of time it takes them to fall asleep
- Their bedtimes during the weekday and weekend
- The frequency of sleep disturbances
- Whether they sleep in class and potential difficulties staying awake after school
Researchers also took into account whether symptoms of mental health problems or levels of parental monitoring accounted for these sleep problems.
“Parents, educators, and therapists should consider insomnia to be a risk marker for alcohol use, and alcohol use a risk marker for insomnia, among early adolescents," said Rutgers-Camden researcher Naomi Marmorstein, in a statement.
Do You Know the Symptoms of Insomnia?
According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), people with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty staying asleep (waking up during the night and having trouble returning to sleep)
- Waking up too early in the morning
- Unrefreshing sleep (or "non-restorative sleep")
- Fatigue or low energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood disturbance, such as irritability
- Feeling impulsive or aggression
- Difficulty at work or school
- Difficulty in personal relationships, including family, friends and caregivers
The duration of insomnia is important, notes the NSF, and doctors consider insomnia chronic if it
occurs at least three nights per week for three months or longer.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Sleep Disorders and Alcohol Abuse
If you suffer from both symptoms of sleep disorders and alcohol abuse, you may need specialized treatment and a personalized plan for recovery. At Hope Academy, we offer evidence-based dual diagnosis treatment for young adults facing both substance abuse and co-occurring issues like sleep disorders. To learn more, call today: 866-930-4673.
