Bradley says it helps to understand your motivation behind Dry January and making sure you “live, breathe, and eat that” once you’ve made the promise to yourself. You may find yourself in social situations where others are drinking. In that case, he recommends choosing a favorite drink to swap out for alcohol. This will mark the fifth year that Woo Bradley, a 33-year-old Atlanta resident and project manager, participates in Dry January. Not a single drop of alcohol for a whole month, which Bradley chooses to start at midnight on January 2, once New Year’s Day festivities  have ended.

People with sleep apnea should consider avoiding or reducing alcohol consumption. A person can speak with a doctor to discuss the best way to treat and manage their condition. Consuming alcohol may present a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. In a 2018 study, researchers found that alcohol increases this risk by 25%. More severe cases of chronic insomnia may require different treatment strategies. Different forms of therapy, mindfulness, meditation, or hypnotherapy, can address insomnia symptoms.

How Does Alcohol Impact Sleep?

These sleep issues can include insomnia, disrupted sleep patterns, sleep apnea, or other sleep-disordered breathing. SAMHSA statistics indicate such sleep problems can last weeks, months, or even years after drinking stops. When it comes to insomnia and alcohol withdrawal, sleep disorder can be a huge danger for two reasons. Firstly, an inability to sleep is a danger to a person’s health. A lack of sleep can have a severe effect on mental health, making moods inconsistent, inducing depression and worsening anxiety. It can also take a large physical toll on the body, as it struggles to recover from the other withdrawal symptoms, due to not getting a sufficient amount of rest.

• One-third of respondents who stop drinking, even for a few weeks, notice their sleep is somewhat better, if not much better (22%).
• But did you know it can actually make your sleep problems worse?
• Drinking alcohol in moderation is generally considered safe but every individual reacts differently to alcohol.
• While there are various reasons for participating in an alcohol-free month, the top motivators for respondents are better overall health (53%) and saving money (49%).
• They will evaluate your sleep patterns, conduct tests if necessary, and provide personalized recommendations based on your specific situation.
• Although alcohol can initially have a sedative effect, it can lead to problems in the sleep cycle.
• Habits are tough to break, particularly when it comes to sleep patterns.

If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. If The Recovery Village is not the right fit for you or your loved one, we will help refer you to a facility that is. If you don't already have a supportive network, you can make new connections by joining social media communities dedicated to alcohol-free living.

Support Groups

By working closely with a sleep specialist, you can receive expert guidance and support in overcoming your reliance on alcohol as a sleep aid. In order to improve sleep quality and break the reliance on alcohol for falling asleep, it is important to establish good sleep hygiene practices. This involves adopting habits and creating an environment that promote restful sleep. Two key aspects of sleep hygiene are establishing a bedtime routine and creating a sleep-friendly environment. A number of effective pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment options exist to manage insomnia. Most have been evaluated in non-alcoholic insomnia patients so their efficacy in alcoholic patients is uncertain.