Sleep quality is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about addiction recovery – but it is so important. But recovery and sleep go hand in hand, they aid one another.
The importance of a good night’s rest is undervalued in today’s fast-paced society. However, people who have not had enough sleep are not properly equipped for handling stress, personal interactions, and dealing with cravings appropriately. So in order to get the best out of your rehab treatment, you must take plenty of time getting enough sleep.
The Link Between Sleep Deprivation and Addiction
Sleep deprivation, being awake for extended amounts of time, can actually cause people to experience cognitive impairments that you can compare with being drunk. It can play a huge role in the formation of addiction.
People who do not sleep for 48 hours or more have stated they began hallucinating. The impairments caused by lack of sleep can change our inhibitions when faced with the idea of using drugs.
Low amounts of sleep could also contribute to mental health issues like depression, another common link to substance abuse.
Drugs and Sleeping Disorders
Using drugs or drinking alcohol leads to people having less restful sleep. It can exacerbate sleeping problems in a myriad of ways.
Going to sleep following drinking heavily can alter people’s circadian rhythms, our internal clock that is responsible for our rest and recovery. Using stimulant drugs such as cocaine will make it harder to get to sleep, and they will make the sleep less restful.
Sleep to Fight Cravings
In recovery, consistent, and good quality sleep is essential for fighting cravings. Sleep deprivation makes us tired, lethargic and irritable, weakening our willpower. If you have been on a diet, you’ll know the similar effects on the food you choose when you are tired.
Making sleep a priority can also keep those in recovery away from habits that can lead to relapse. This includes late parties and working late – things that take away sleep and present other triggers.
Those in recovery from an addiction who have sleeping problems will be at risk for sleeping pill abuse. Self-medicating can quickly develop into an addiction, where they cannot sleep without them. It is best to focus on getting a healthy, natural sleep routine.
6 Ways to Get Better Sleep
Stick to a schedule.
Try to go to sleep at around the same time each night, and get up around the same time each morning. Being consistent with this, even over weekends, will help to reinforce the sleep/wake cycle.
Avoid large meals before bed.
Eating heavy or large meals too soon before bedtime can cause discomfort that can keep you awake.
Create a restful space.
Create the perfect environment for getting a good night’s rest. This is a room that is cool, dark, and quiet.
You could even try calming activities before bed such as taking a bath or practising relating techniques.
Limit naps in the daytime.
Long naps can make you less tired when it comes to nighttime. So, if you choose to take naps, limit them to just 30 minutes and avoid napping later in the day.
Exercise daily.
Taking part in regular physical activity can aid better sleep. Take time out of each day to go for a run, attend an exercise class, or simply take a walk.
Manage your worries.
Try to resolve your worries before you go to bed. Write down what is on your mind or bothering you, and then put it to one side to deal with tomorrow. This process can help clear your mind and ease anxiety.
Don’t let your addiction and sleep deprivation take hold of your life. In a rehab programme, you can learn to finally get the rest you need. Contact our team today to begin your enquiry in complete confidence.
