When you’re in recovery, getting a good night’s rest is more important than ever. Good sleep also has more benefits than you may think. Adequate sleep can alleviate drug cravings, boost your metabolism, and help you feel more confident in your journey to long-term recovery.
The Benefits of Good Sleep
According to the newsletter of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), NIH News in Health, good sleep “improves your brain performance, mood, and health.” Not getting enough sleep, however, can have disastrous effects. The newsletter article explains that it “raises the risk of many diseases and disorders.” This includes heart disease, stroke, obesity, and dementia, to name just a few.
When you sleep, your body has a chance to heal from the day’s stressors. These can include everyday things like healing your muscles after exercise. Sleep also restores important brain functions, removes toxins from your body, and boosts your immune system.
Poor Sleep and Addiction
For those who have substance use disorder (SUD), getting good sleep is even more important. Unfortunately, a good night’s sleep can be hard to obtain.
A 2018 article published in The Medical Clinics of North America examined the relationship between poor sleep and substance misuse. The authors explained that a disturbance of sleep continuity “has effects on next day functioning and behavior.” One behavior that can result from sleep disturbance is the use of psychoactive substances.
The article also mentions that sleep dysfunction “in the context of substance misuse” may contribute to “increased severity of SUD, impaired quality of life, and co-morbid psychiatric complaints.” What’s more, it can lead to suicidal behavior and psychosocial issues.
The Link Between Sleep and Drug Cravings
The relationship between sleep and substance use can be cyclical. A 2016 study published in Addictive Behaviors mentions that sleep disturbance has been “identified as a risk factor for relapse in addiction to a range of substances.”
Increased use of substances can lead to poor sleep, which can lead to increased use. In fact, you may feel like you have drug cravings, but actually, your brain just isn’t functioning the way it should be because of poor sleep.
Many links between sleep and drug cravings exist. Often, people who are either in detox, recovery, or withdrawal from substances exhibit symptoms of insomnia. Additionally, drug use itself can lead to disrupted sleep patterns.
Substance Use and Sleep Disruption
According to Neuropsychopharmacology, sleep disruption becomes more severe during “chronic administration” of illicit substances. During abstinence, “insomnia with a negative effect prevails,” which can drive drug cravings, contribute to impulsivity, and lead to relapse.
To take it one step further, Neuropsychopharmacology also mentions that sleep dysfunction “might interfere with the learning of non-reinforced drug associations needed for recovery.” This is because sleep is so important for brain health and memory consolidation.
Ways to Alleviate Drug Cravings
The first step in alleviating drug cravings is to get a better night’s rest. Getting good sleep may seem difficult at first, especially if you’re not used to being in a good sleep pattern. With a little determination and consistent practice, however, you’ll be able to create a healthy new habit that supports your rest.
Create a Better Sleep Routine
Going to sleep around the same time every night is one of the best ways to create a better sleep practice. Granted, this isn’t always easy to do. You can start by simply aiming for a certain timeframe for bedtime.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), most adults need “seven or more hours of sleep each night.” The HHS also suggests switching up your routine so you can get better sleep. For example, it might help to move activities like exercise to the earlier part of the day instead of doing them at night.
Setting a bedtime routine is also important. When you fall into the same habit each night before bed, it will become easier to train your mind and body to know when it’s time for rest.
Cultivate Comfort and Relaxation
Creating a comfortable sleep environment can also go a long way toward helping you get a good night’s rest. You may want to decorate your space with comfy blankets, pillows, nightlights, and other comfort items to help you get excited for bedtime.
Another powerful way to reduce drug cravings and get more sleep is to do activities that help you feel calm. Practices like meditation, mindfulness, and yoga can help you feel less anxious and get your body accustomed to regular sleep. Even if these activities are done during the day, they will still translate to better sleep at night because you’ll be in a more peaceful state of mind.
End Drug Cravings for Good at The Guest House
Good sleep can aid your recovery in profound ways. However, getting good sleep is not always easy to accomplish on your own. At The Guest House, we provide you with a beautiful setting that will help you get back into a normal sleep schedule so you can reduce drug cravings and find lasting recovery success.
Our cutting-edge program is filled with activities that will help you develop healthy habits and get your body back into a healthy routine. We also offer a wide range of holistic therapies, like meditation, that will bring a sense of inner calm to your life. Having a structured day with around-the-clock support will allow you to create healthy new routines that support your recovery journey.
Drug cravings are often the result of poor sleep. Unfortunately, if you experience substance use disorder (SUD), getting good sleep can be difficult. At The Guest House, we provide you with the daily structure and support to get you back on track and create a better sleep schedule. Our cutting-edge program includes daily activities to help you create healthy new habits and routines that will support recovery success. We offer a wide range of holistic therapies that allow you to regain a sense of calm and inner peace. This regimen can translate to a better nighttime experience as you begin to get better sleep. For more information, call us today at (855) 483-7800.