The effects produced by drugs are almost as varied as the number of them that exist. There are drugs that depress the central nervous system, others that are stimulants, and others that are hallucinogenic. All of them have harmful effects on the body, which worsen the greater and more prolonged the use over time. Anxiety or depression are some of the most common symptoms that drugs produce in the long term. Another aspect that is also affected by the use of these substances is sleep. These disturbances vary depending on the drug and can end up turning users’ lives into torment. How does drug use affect sleep?
Sleep in the spotlight
As we said in the introduction, drugs are a type of substance that affects the body by altering it at different levels. Depending on the amount consumed and the composition of the drug, the effects will have a greater impact on one aspect or another. But in general terms, they cause an organic change that in most cases tends to produce major changes in the natural ability to sleep. This means that sleep loses its natural properties for restoring energy.
Drugs affect the entire nervous system, so the resulting problems are not limited to sleep. These effects can go further, creating significant cardiovascular complications since drugs directly alter the normal functioning of the heart. If sleep patterns begin to be disrupted, blood pressure is also very likely to vary excessively. This can lead to heart attacks, as well as infections in the blood vessels, among the various cardiovascular problems that will affect sleep quality.
How do the main drugs affect sleep?
- Alcohol: Alcohol is the substance that has been studied the most. Not surprisingly, it is the most widely used anxiolytic and hypnotic in the Western world. Occasional use of this drug produces a sleep-inducing effect. However, continued use impairs its quality, becoming even worse during the withdrawal period. If doses are low, there are no clear effects on sleep function. But at higher doses the effect produced is similar to that of a short-acting hypnotic; that is, it decreases sleep latency, as well as awakenings, stage 1 sleep, and the density of rapid eye movements (REM) in the first half of the night. The second half of the night is characterised by the presence of rebound phenomena with an increase in stage 1 sleep, more awakenings, and an increase in REM sleep.
On the other hand, it has been observed that chronic alcoholics experience a decrease in deep slow-wave sleep and REM sleep, as well as more fragmented sleep. In addition, these disturbances worsen during the withdrawal phase. Addicted individuals sleep less, sleep is more fragmented, and slow-wave sleep decreases, while the duration and density of the REM phase increase. In fact, one of the factors for relapse into alcohol use after a period of abstinence may be the persistence of sleep disturbances. Therefore, it is advisable to provide sleep inducers during the acute withdrawal phase. If insomnia continues, one option is to use sedating antidepressants to improve sleep quality and prevent relapse.
- Cocaine: Cocaine is another drug that affects sleep. Stimulants reduce the feeling of needing sleep. Many times, patients do not have the subjective perception of sleep disturbance or of non-restorative sleep. In this case, cocaine has a euphoric effect on mood, reduces total sleep time, and disrupts its continuity. By contrast, during the withdrawal period, total sleep time and daytime sleepiness increase.
- Cannabis: At high doses, marijuana use decreases REM sleep and slow-wave sleep. Other effects derived from the use of cannabis include an increase in the number of periodic limb movements during sleep and more fragmented sleep. On the other hand, marijuana withdrawal reduces sleep quality, increases latency, and produces strange dreams. It has also been observed that withdrawal after smoking four or five cigarettes a day, even after a short period, is associated with an increase in latency and the REM phase.
- Opioids: opioids produce alertness reactions depending on the dose, with an increase in muscle activity and body movements. Electroencephalography (EEG) shows an increase in alpha activity and a decrease in deep slow-wave sleep and REM sleep. It has been seen that patients on methadone treatment sleep better. In addition, they show a slight increase in deep slow-wave sleep and a reduction in fast EEG frequencies during sleep.
While methadone treatment is maintained, night-time sleep is not altered. However, some patients report having insomnia when falling asleep and staying asleep. Regarding the withdrawal period, during the first 3-5 weeks, an increase in dreaming activity and insomnia was observed. In cases of withdrawal in people addicted to opiates, there is an increase in dreams and the REM phase. After withdrawal, a period of insomnia lasting several weeks is described. In this regard, there is a risk that prolonged insomnia may lead to a relapse into heroin use.
At CCAdicciones, we have the best professionals to help you if you are addicted to any drug or have any other addiction. Get in touch with us if you think you need help to regain control of your life.
