Alcohol and sleep disruption.

[Mohun]

I found this one interesting as it applies to myself. A friend and I were discussing his sleep issue the other day. He sleeps fine for the first half of the night and is restless for the last half. He needs to nap during the day (just like I used to do). He drinks almost as much as I used to do.

I believe a lack of sleep was responsible for a lot of my physical problems (heart palpitations). What surprised me about this information is it talks about even small amounts of alcohol disrupting sleep (no, I'm not trying to instigate a mod/abs fight ). But I do believe sleep disruption (whatever the cause) is responsible for a host of ailments.

Alcohol and Sleep - Alcohol Alert No. 41-1998

Alcohol and Sleep in Those Without Alcoholism

Alcohol consumed at bedtime, after an initial stimulating effect, may decrease the time required to fall asleep. Because of alcohol's sedating effect, many people with insomnia consume alcohol to promote sleep. However, alcohol consumed within an hour of bedtime appears to disrupt the second half of the sleep period (7). The subject may sleep fitfully during the second half of sleep, awakening from dreams and returning to sleep with difficulty. With continued consumption just before bedtime, alcohol's sleep-inducing effect may decrease, while its disruptive effects continue or increase (8). This sleep disruption may lead to daytime fatigue and sleepiness. The elderly are at particular risk, because they achieve higher levels of alcohol in the blood and brain than do younger persons after consuming an equivalent dose. Bedtime alcohol consumption among older persons may lead to unsteadiness if walking is attempted during the night, with increased risk of falls and injuries (3).

Alcoholic beverages are often consumed in the late afternoon (e.g., at "happy hour" or with dinner) without further consumption before bedtime. Studies show that a moderate dose1 of alcohol consumed as much as 6 hours before bedtime can increase wakefulness during the second half of sleep. By the time this effect occurs, the dose of alcohol consumed earlier has already been eliminated from the body, suggesting a relatively long-lasting change in the body's mechanisms of sleep regulation (7,8).

The adverse effects of sleep deprivation are increased following alcohol consumption. Subjects administered low doses of alcohol following a night of reduced sleep perform poorly in a driving simulator, even with no alcohol left in the body (9,10). Reduced alertness may potentially increase alcohol's sedating effect in situations such as rotating sleep-wake schedules (e.g., shift work) and rapid travel across multiple time zones (i.e., jet lag) (9). A person may not recognize the extent of sleep disturbance that occurs under these circumstances, increasing the danger that sleepiness and alcohol consumption will co-occur.

[Accountable for Me]

Mo, I find my sleep is interrupted each time I had a drink or a few drinks. I also slept fine for the first half of the night but; I woke up at about 3am and tossed and turned until it was time to get up. Even if I had only one glass of wine - I still slept very poorly.

By lunch time I was dragging my ass..... feeling really burnt out, eyes were dry, and could use a nap.

When I drank, I would have horrible heart palpitations and had anxiety attacks the following day. Once the alcohol had been removed, all would disappear. Go figure.

Thanks again for the information. I have learned quite a bit these past two days on what affects AL has on the body.

[A Work in Progress]

Oh, yes, this was one of the worst things, for me. At some point, not sure how or when this happened (it crept up on me, like every other aspect of this damn condition), I began waking up at 3 or 3:30 every morning, unable to get back to sleep... still semi-intoxicated, and semi-hung over. Really a rotten feeling. After I quit drinking I still had that same every morning wake-up time (but fortunately without the hangover, etc.), and still unable to sleep any more... it took over a month before my sleep patterns got back to normal. What a relief it was, too.

[Kid Shelleen]

...disturbing thing about drinking.
I have ALWAYS had trouble sleeping.
Drinking more than the smallest, moderated amount makes it worse.
Alcohol is terrible for satisfying sleep...MOST OF THE TIME
If you can't sleep after drinking, or drinking a certain amount; reduce that amount or stop...sleep is too precious to mess with!
Thanks for the article..I collect all things "sleep".
~KS~

[Mohun]

Originally Posted by Kid Shelleen

...disturbing thing about drinking.
I have ALWAYS had trouble sleeping.
Drinking more than the smallest, moderated amount makes it worse.
Alcohol is terrible for satisfying sleep...MOST OF THE TIME
If you can't sleep after drinking, or drinking a certain amount; reduce that amount or stop...sleep is too precious to mess with!
Thanks for the article..I collect all things "sleep".
~KS~

Well see, there is something we agree on. I think sleep disruption is huge in relation to a persons overall health. I sent the article to my friend (whom I am trying to encourage to try 30 days AF). He says he will do the 30 days starting March 17th.

By the way, my ego is bigger....

[Kid Shelleen]

It's OK...I KNEW that. Only people with a big ego even bother to bring it up!

Originally Posted by Mohun

...By the way, my ego is bigger....

[peacenik]

i would wake up almost every hour after 2 am and have massive anxiety attacks about health, life, death anything really...that is the main reason i stopped drinking, it was that bad.

[veritas]

I can so relate to this. I am also not a great sleeper, but the longer that I am AF, the deeper and sweeter my sleep. I also found that when I drank, my dreams were often paranoid, almost psychotic. I was much more prone to nightmares. I am sure that it was in part due my overwhelming guilt and shame.

[peacenik]

veritas, i totally know what you mean, i would wake up froma nightmarish dream and the anxiety would continue and keep me awake for hours. total turmoil about how i was killing myself with alcohol, guilt about drinking willfully (my mom died from cancer and i always felt guilty that i was "choosing" to harm myself with al), fear that i would leave my 10 year old without a mom etc...just remembering all this helps keep me from drinking!

[Joanna]

YES YES YES Can relate to practically every one of these sleep comments. Now my sleep is Ok and lasts all night. Trouble is I still have trouble waking up and getting going. Probably nothing to do with the AL but still frustrating as I would love to be able to bounce out of bed fresh and alert......