The Destructive Influence of Alcohol on Your Quality of Sleep

Excessive intake of alcohol can cause a plethora of problems physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. What some may not realize, though, is that alcohol can have a negative impact on the quality of sleep you receive each night. While some people might find drinking before bed to aid their sleep, in the short- and long-run, it’s actually quite intrusion, let alone, dangerous.

Read on to discover some scary truths about alcohol and sleep.

Large Intake of Alcohol Can Disrupt Sleep Quality By Nearly 40%

Women who have more than one serving of alcohol a day and men who consume more than two servings of alcohol daily exhibit lower sleep quality by almost 40%.

Although, it’s not just excessive drinkers who experience disrupted sleep quality. Even those who consume lower amounts of alcohol are victims of poor sleep quality. Women who drink less than one serving a day and men who drink less than two servings a day experience a average decline of 9.3% in sleep quality.

Increased Risks of Insomnia

It turns out, alcoholism has ties with insomnia, a sleep disorder involving difficulty going to sleep and staying asleep, even in those who have never had signs or symptoms of insomnia before.

Because drinking alcohol can trigger insomnia, it’s no surprise when we find out that it has a negative effect on Rapid Eye Movement (REM). This is the deepest cycle of sleep, and when it’s interrupted, this can lead to problems with memory formation, changes in our neurotransmitter levels, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Something interesting and surprising to note is that interrupted sleep is more likely to negatively impact us than lack of sleep in many ways, including our mood.

More Likely to Develop Sleep Apnea

Higher risks of insomnia also lead to higher risks of sleep apnea, abnormal breathing and automatic halting of breathing while one is sleeping. Sleep apnea is more likely in those who drink even small amounts of alcohol daily, even in those who are not genetically predisposed to the condition.

Like insomnia, sleep apnea can cause disruptions in sleep. As mentioned, these disruptions can cause several complications- anything from sleepiness in the daytime to mental health complications like depression and anxiety.

But just how much of an increase in sleep apnea does someone who frequently drinks alcohol have? Up to 25%!

The way alcohol can negatively impact our quality of sleep is a disturbing thought. The good news is, decreasing or halting the consumption of alcohol can lead to improved sleep overall.

Do you suffer from a drinking problem? Programs like alcohol detoxification in Orange County can help you get back to where you need to be.

Conclusion

The quality sleep you receive each night is critical. When we sleep, our body is repairing and rejuvenating itself in numerous ways. However, poor sleep quality can lead to a decline in mental health, we’ll be more likely to experience health problems like diabetes and obesity, and our immune system can take a hit. Sadly, alcohol consumption only hinders our sleep.