Substance-Induced Sleep Disorders
Substance-induced sleep disorders involve the use of, or exposure to,
medications, toxins, alcohol or other drugs. Intoxication and withdrawal can
also result in substance-induced sleep disorders. Recently,
substance-induced sleep disorders and their importance in terms of best
treatment practices for those with addictions is becoming more well
recognized.

It has been shown that alcohol interferes with normal sleep patterns by
disrupting particular neurotransmitters in the brain which control or
regulate sleep. When these neurotransmitters are disrupted, disturbances can
result. Small amounts of alcohol can cause early sedation or sleepiness, and
is often used as a sedative. However, the use of alcohol as an effective
sedative can be extremely misleading because the side effects that can
result are usually even more harmful and detrimental to the natural sleep
cycle. For instance, due to the natural elimination of alcohol from the
body, arousal and sleep fragmentation can occur and the second half of the
sleep period can be drastically interrupted. This is due to the fact that,
although alcohol will cause sedation, it will also decrease REM sleep in the
first half of the night resulting in the rebound of REM sleep later in the
night. When the rebounding of REM sleep occurs, it causes frequent awaking
during the night, and suppression of REM sleep. Gene rally, with continued
consumption, alcohol's sedative effects decrease and its disruptive effects
remain the same or increase. (NIAA-Alcohol Alert, 1998; Oscar-Berman, 1997;
NIAA -NIH guide, 07/02/01)

Alcohol can be associated with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder in
which the upper air passage narrows or closes during sleep causing one to
awake many times during the night gasping for air. Because of alcohol's
depressant effects, the muscles of the upper air passage are affected,
snoring is increased and sleep quality and total sleep time are reduced.

Marijuana interferes with the normal sleep patterns. The active compound
found in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, interacts with
specific chemicals in the brain that are associated with sleep and
therefore, produces changes in brain wave patterns. The effects that can be
contributed to this interaction depend on the amount of substance that is
used. In small doses, REM sleep is only slightly suppressed, but large doses
and/or continued use of marijuana can cause insomnia and significantly
reduced REM sleep. (Pacific Sleep, 07/13/01).

Sleep Disturbances May Threaten Recovery
A variety of studies have been conducted which portray the relationship
between alcohol and sleep. A number of these studies have indicated that
alcohol's subtle ability to sedate is reinforcing for some insomniacs and
that the positive reinforcement could lead to dependence. For instance,
studies have shown that 28 percent of those who complain of insomnia
reported using alcohol to help them sleep. Individuals who reported having
two or more weeks of insomnia were more likely to have met diagnostic
criteria for alcoholism at one-year follow-up. (Ford, D.E. et al, 1989).
Therefore, insomniacs should be made aware of the potential dangers of using
alcohol as a sedative.

Alcohol withdrawal can also be associated with sleep disturbances. Studies
have demonstrated that pronounced insomnia and marked sleep fragmentation
often result when chronic drinkers go through withdrawal and that this may
even occur many weeks into abstinence. Studies have also shown that nonREM
sleep is reduced during withdrawal and ultimately restful sleep is
diminished. Additionally, in some alcoholic, who attempt to withdraw from
alcohol, long-suppressed REM sleep tends to rebound excessively, which can
be associated with hallucinations. A symptom of alcohol withdrawal is
delirium tremors (DT's). DT's is a condition that occurs 2-4 days after
alcohol withdrawal, which consists of trembling and agitation with
hallucinations, over- excitation, fever, sweating, and rapid heartbeat.
Studied have suggested that these DT's represent a state of continuous REM
sleep. Given these findings, sleep disturbances may be associated with
relapse during withdrawal and long-term abstinence. (NIAA-Alcohol Alert,
1998; Oscar-Berman, 1997; NIAA -NIH guide, 07/02/01)

When an individual is diagnosed with a sleep disorder, various treatment
alternatives should be discussed with the patient. Many treatment options
exist and include, for example: medication, acupuncture, yoga, tea/herbal
remedies, biofeedback and meditation. Usually, the most effective treatment
regimes are those that incorporate a combination of these therapies. Since
each patient is different, effective treatment regimes vary depending on the
patient needs. It has become common practice for a physician to treat
substance-induced sleep disorders from a holistic approach, using relaxation
and herbal therapies with less medication. Medications most often prescribed
include: Vistaril®, Elavil®, Neurontin®, Trazedone®, Benedryl®, Ambien®,
Sonata®, and Thorazine® with each of them having specific risks and
benefits. In addition to these treatments, doctors often work with patients
to help them restructure their daily living habits in such a way as to
improve sleep quality as well. For instance, the doctor might instruct the
patient to remove all stimulant use six hours prior to sleep, to go to bed
and rise from bed about the same time each day, to avoid late meals and
daytime naps.



Alcohol Overuse
An estimated 10% to 15% of chronic insomnia cases result from substance
abuse, especially alcohol, cocaine, and sedatives. One or two alcoholic
drinks at dinner, for most people, poses little danger of alcoholism and may
help reduce stress and initiate sleep. Excess alcohol or alcohol used to
promote sleep, however, tends to fragment sleep and cause wakefulness a few
hours later. It also increases the risk for other sleep disorders, including
sleep apnea and restless legs. Alcoholics often suffer insomnia during
withdrawal and, in some cases, for several years during recovery.

Sue wrote:
> Substance-Induced Sleep Disorders
> Substance-induced sleep disorders involve the use of, or exposure to,
> medications, toxins, alcohol or other drugs. Intoxication and withdrawal can
> also result in substance-induced sleep disorders. Recently,
> substance-induced sleep disorders and their importance in terms of best
> treatment practices for those with addictions is becoming more well
> recognized.
>
> It has been shown that alcohol interferes with normal sleep patterns by
> disrupting particular neurotransmitters in the brain which control or
> regulate sleep. When these neurotransmitters are disrupted, disturbances can
> result. Small amounts of alcohol can cause early sedation or sleepiness, and
> is often used as a sedative. However, the use of alcohol as an effective
> sedative can be extremely misleading because the side effects that can
> result are usually even more harmful and detrimental to the natural sleep
> cycle. For instance, due to the natural elimination of alcohol from the
> body, arousal and sleep fragmentation can occur and the second half of the
> sleep period can be drastically interrupted. This is due to the fact that,
> although alcohol will cause sedation, it will also decrease REM sleep in the
> first half of the night resulting in the rebound of REM sleep later in the
> night. When the rebounding of REM sleep occurs, it causes frequent awaking
> during the night, and suppression of REM sleep. Gene rally, with continued
> consumption, alcohol's sedative effects decrease and its disruptive effects
> remain the same or increase. (NIAA-Alcohol Alert, 1998; Oscar-Berman, 1997;
> NIAA -NIH guide, 07/02/01)
>
> Alcohol can be associated with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder in
> which the upper air passage narrows or closes during sleep causing one to
> awake many times during the night gasping for air. Because of alcohol's
> depressant effects, the muscles of the upper air passage are affected,
> snoring is increased and sleep quality and total sleep time are reduced.
>
> Marijuana interferes with the normal sleep patterns. The active compound
> found in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, interacts with
> specific chemicals in the brain that are associated with sleep and
> therefore, produces changes in brain wave patterns. The effects that can be
> contributed to this interaction depend on the amount of substance that is
> used. In small doses, REM sleep is only slightly suppressed, but large doses
> and/or continued use of marijuana can cause insomnia and significantly
> reduced REM sleep. (Pacific Sleep, 07/13/01).
>
> Sleep Disturbances May Threaten Recovery
> A variety of studies have been conducted which portray the relationship
> between alcohol and sleep. A number of these studies have indicated that
> alcohol's subtle ability to sedate is reinforcing for some insomniacs and
> that the positive reinforcement could lead to dependence. For instance,
> studies have shown that 28 percent of those who complain of insomnia
> reported using alcohol to help them sleep. Individuals who reported having
> two or more weeks of insomnia were more likely to have met diagnostic
> criteria for alcoholism at one-year follow-up. (Ford, D.E. et al, 1989).
> Therefore, insomniacs should be made aware of the potential dangers of using
> alcohol as a sedative.
>
> Alcohol withdrawal can also be associated with sleep disturbances. Studies
> have demonstrated that pronounced insomnia and marked sleep fragmentation
> often result when chronic drinkers go through withdrawal and that this may
> even occur many weeks into abstinence. Studies have also shown that nonREM
> sleep is reduced during withdrawal and ultimately restful sleep is
> diminished. Additionally, in some alcoholic, who attempt to withdraw from
> alcohol, long-suppressed REM sleep tends to rebound excessively, which can
> be associated with hallucinations. A symptom of alcohol withdrawal is
> delirium tremors (DT's). DT's is a condition that occurs 2-4 days after
> alcohol withdrawal, which consists of trembling and agitation with
> hallucinations, over- excitation, fever, sweating, and rapid heartbeat.
> Studied have suggested that these DT's represent a state of continuous REM
> sleep. Given these findings, sleep disturbances may be associated with
> relapse during withdrawal and long-term abstinence. (NIAA-Alcohol Alert,
> 1998; Oscar-Berman, 1997; NIAA -NIH guide, 07/02/01)
>
> When an individual is diagnosed with a sleep disorder, various treatment
> alternatives should be discussed with the patient. Many treatment options
> exist and include, for example: medication, acupuncture, yoga, tea/herbal
> remedies, biofeedback and meditation. Usually, the most effective treatment
> regimes are those that incorporate a combination of these therapies. Since
> each patient is different, effective treatment regimes vary depending on the
> patient needs. It has become common practice for a physician to treat
> substance-induced sleep disorders from a holistic approach, using relaxation
> and herbal therapies with less medication. Medications most often prescribed
> include: Vistaril®, Elavil®, Neurontin®, Trazedone®, Benedryl®, Ambien®,
> Sonata®, and Thorazine® with each of them having specific risks and
> benefits. In addition to these treatments, doctors often work with patients
> to help them restructure their daily living habits in such a way as to
> improve sleep quality as well. For instance, the doctor might instruct the
> patient to remove all stimulant use six hours prior to sleep, to go to bed
> and rise from bed about the same time each day, to avoid late meals and
> daytime naps.
>
>
>
> Alcohol Overuse
> An estimated 10% to 15% of chronic insomnia cases result from substance
> abuse, especially alcohol, cocaine, and sedatives. One or two alcoholic
> drinks at dinner, for most people, poses little danger of alcoholism and may
> help reduce stress and initiate sleep. Excess alcohol or alcohol used to
> promote sleep, however, tends to fragment sleep and cause wakefulness a few
> hours later. It also increases the risk for other sleep disorders, including
> sleep apnea and restless legs. Alcoholics often suffer insomnia during
> withdrawal and, in some cases, for several years during recovery.
>
>
Very intersting stuff indeed and a lot of it i can relate to ....where
did this imformation come from ...its very good.

http://www.oasas.state.ny.us/AdMed/p...h-Insomnia.htm