Written by:

Danny Smith

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Sharad Haridas – MRCPsych

Last Updated:

December 2nd, 2024

Insomnia and Addiction

Recent studies suggest that insomnia is experienced by between 10 and 30% of the population. We all, on occasion, experience difficulties with sleep. It is quite common to experience disturbed sleep when we are feeling particularly under strain or pressure. But for most people, these symptoms ease after a short period of time. However, if our sleep is continually impacted, we can find that our waking lives are dramatically affected. This can make it very tough to maintain our daily responsibilities as we find ourselves functioning at a reduced level of health. But where is the line between a bout of bad sleep and insomnia symptoms? What causes insomnia, and how is it often treated? What is the connection between insomnia and drug addiction?

Insomnia and addiction

What is insomnia?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence explain that:

‘Insomnia is defined as a persistent difficulty with getting to sleep, maintaining sleep, or quality of sleep, which occurs despite adequate opportunity and circumstances for sleep, and results in impaired daytime functioning.’

This suggests that insomnia is more than simply ‘not sleeping.’ Insomnia occurs when sleep quality dips to a level that leaves us feeling unwell (physically, cognitively and emotionally) during the day.

Insomnia can be experienced in two ways: either as short-term or chronic insomnia. Sleep disturbances that lead to impaired functioning in the day for up to 3 months are classed as short-term insomnia. Chronic insomnia is diagnosed in two circumstances:

• If your sleep issues continue for more than 3 months
• If your sleep issues occur for 3 or more nights each week

Despite the difficulties associated with insomnia, ‘only around 30% of those affected seek medical advice.’ This suggests a large unmet treatment need for people dealing with insomnia and adjacent sleep issues.

Signs of insomnia

The classic symptom of insomnia is difficulty sleeping – but this can manifest in lots of different ways. Insomnia symptoms include:

• Struggling to fall asleep
• Waking up multiple times in the night
• Experiencing ‘shallow’ sleep

These sleep issues can have a detrimental impact on health, leading to:

• Lethargy
• Cognitive impairment
• Memory issues
• Anxiety
• Low mood
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Headaches

What is addiction?

Addiction is a chronic condition that occurs when an individual is unable to reduce engagement with a specific substance or behaviour despite its detrimental effects on their wellbeing. There are two categories of addiction:

1. Substance addictions
2. Behavioural addictions

They both have the capacity to negatively affect our physical and mental health. They can also colour our professional, private and social lives.

Signs of addiction

Our experience of addiction will vary depending on our specific circumstances and difficulties. But there are some overarching addiction symptoms, such as:

• Cravings
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Hyperfixation on addictive stimulus
• Hiding or lying about engagement with addictive stimulus
• Decline in physical health
• Aches and pains
• Nausea and sickness
• Changes in eating habits
• Changes in sleep routines
• Social withdrawal
• A ‘change’ in personality
• Struggling with educational, occupational or personal commitments [7]

Addiction and insomnia: what’s the link?

Addiction and insomnia are frequently comorbid. This means that it is common for individuals to experience both at the same time. Insomnia can be caused by addiction – as a manifestation of psychological strain and physiological turmoil associated with cycles of use and withdrawal. But insomnia can also in itself lead to addiction, as individuals seek substances that can alleviate the distress of prolonged periods of broken sleep.

There are some addictions that are particularly linked to insomnia. These include alcohol, sleeping pill and marijuana addictions. Dependency on alcohol, sleeping pills and marijuana can be linked to insomnia in the following ways:

• Use of the substances to aid sleep
• Use of substances to manage anxiety and depression
• Addiction leading to disrupted sleep continuity

Alcohol addiction and insomnia

Excessive alcohol use can deepen sleep issues. Insomnia is thought to occur in between ’36-72% of alcohol patients.’ This comorbidity is considered to be ‘clinically significant because alcoholism can exacerbate the adverse consequences of insomnia […] and because insomnia among patients entering treatment for alcoholism has been significantly associated with relapse.’ This indicates that the two conditions can feed each other, leading to a vicious cycle.

Insomnia and sleeping pill addiction

Sleeping pills are usually only prescribed in small amounts in a short-term context due to their addictive nature. However, research indicates that sedative medications are regularly used for longer than recommended or are otherwise misused.

Marijuana addiction and insomnia

A recent study indicates that those who use cannabis are twice as likely to experience insomnia and other sleep-related disorders. This indicates a strong ‘association between cannabis use and sleep complaints,’ particularly among university students.

Insomnia and addiction treatment

The comorbid relationship between addiction and insomnia means that a two-pronged approach to treatment is likely to be the most effective.

Treating insomnia

Insomnia can be treated short-term through medications or long-term through a course of talking therapy. Insomnia is often treated through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Treating addiction

Holistic, specialist support for addiction can be accessed through rehab. Rehab treatments are tailored to your situation and blend elements of psychological and pharmacological interventions and detoxification programmes when and where needed.

Seek support

Here at Banbury Lodge, we can help you to take the steps towards an addiction-free future.  Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with a member of our team. We are here to lend a listening, non-judgmental ear and guide you through potential options for specialist, holistic addiction and mental health support. We are available to talk you through the bespoke rehab packages we offer to help identify the most appropriate treatment for your needs.

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