Treating Insomnia In Addiction Recovery May Cut Relapse Risk

Insomnia is a “prevalent and persistent” problem for patients in the early phases of recovery from the disease of addiction — and may lead to an increased risk of relapse, according to a report in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.

Insomnia may be linked with a higher risk of alcohol-related problems and relapse. The association may run in the other direction as well. Population studies report people with sleep disturbance are more likely to be at risk of developing addiction.

Compounding the problem, some patients addicted to alcohol use the substance in the evening in an effort to address sleep problems. Alcohol is a well-documented cause of sleep disruption with toxic effects on several neurobiological systems, and may contribute to lasting sleep problems even during abstinence. 

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