Insomnia with a hangover - what to do about sleep disturbance after drinking alcohol

Why the end of binge drinking is accompanied by insomnia

Too much alcohol-containing drinks entering the bloodstream leads to disruptions in the functioning of the nervous system. The liver, kidneys, and cardiovascular system also suffer. In order for the body recover , it is necessary that during a night's rest there is a change in the phases of REM sleep and slow sleep. This change should occur 3 or 4 times during the night.

Normalization of the functioning of the entire body and the revival of energy potential is carried out during the phases of slow rest. Then melatonin is produced and spinal fluid is synthesized. During exacerbations of alcohol addiction, the sleep mechanism is disrupted, and the phases are sharply reduced or disappeared. A person's sleep is interrupted. This disrupts the functioning of all mechanisms that are designed to restore the body. He is unable to rest properly. Sleep becomes superficial, sensitive - the patient can jump up from the quietest rustle. Poisoning with the destructive elements of alcohol can lead to:

to headaches
increased pressure,
the occurrence of auditory and visual hallucinations,
a persistent feeling of extreme fatigue.

If a person has a chronic disease, then such insomnia causes its exacerbation.

People who believed that alcohol is an excellent sleeping pill begin to be tormented by the thought: “Insomnia with a hangover, what should I do?”

Indeed, alcohol in small portions can cause relaxation of the body. But exceeding the dosage acts as a stimulant. After a short period of time after a person falls asleep, his sleep becomes intermittent and weak. In the morning, after such a dream, a person feels a loss of strength and fatigue.

It is strictly forbidden to mix alcohol with sleeping pills. You should not drink alcohol if a person suffers from snoring or apnea. Impaired breathing during sleep in the presence of poisoning with alcohol-containing substances can be fatal.

It is better not to drink at night, but to consult a doctor.

How does insomnia develop in alcoholism?

At the initial stage of alcoholism, people easily fall asleep in 90% of cases, but as the disease progresses, a person needs an increasingly large dose of alcohol to fall asleep. However, with any addiction, a powerful psychological mechanism of denial is triggered, so alcoholics usually do not associate insomnia with their attraction to the bottle . They do not want to hear about treatment for alcoholism, preferring to continue to lead their usual lifestyle.

Even if alcohol addicts turn to doctors with the problem of insomnia, they are silent about the habit of excessive drinking. Most often, the specialist guesses the true cause of the sleep disorder and recommends that the patient undergo rehabilitation.

mental disorders that accompany insomnia in alcoholics . They can manifest themselves in general asthenia, constant fatigue, irritability and nervousness. In the second and third stages of addiction, anxiety, anger, and short temper are added to these symptoms.

After rest, the patient does not feel a surge of strength; he wakes up as broken as he was before falling asleep. This is explained by the fact that an alcoholic is tormented by constant nightmares, due to which he is forced to wake up several times a night . A person cannot reach the deep sleep phase and fully recover, which leads to a final imbalance of all organs and systems.

Why does insomnia occur after alcohol? Advice from a somnologist

Insomnia after a hangover has several varieties, depending on the severity of alcohol poisoning.

Problems falling asleep. The inability to sleep while hungover is a traditional complaint of people who have taken large amounts of alcohol the day before or for an indefinite period of time. Falling asleep for a long time while intoxicated or with a hangover provokes hypertension, anxiety, tachycardia, and myalgia. These conditions lead to severe chronic overexcitation. The person becomes fearful. There are categories of chronic patients who cannot fall asleep without alcohol. But taking it before bed only makes the situation worse.
Not a sound sleep. Anxiety and sleep disturbance after drinking looks like an intellectual disorder. The patient has visions. This is the cause of emotional disturbances. Without medical help, the phenomenon of insomnia after a hangover leads to severe nervous disorders.

You need to understand that sleep disturbance is a consequence of alcohol poisoning.

Duration of the recovery period after binge drinking

Remember that everyone is individual and everyone’s body recovers differently. The duration of rehabilitation depends on the following factors:

Age;
Presence of chronic diseases;
Duration of binge drinking;
Duration of alcohol dependence;
Amount of alcohol consumed.

As a rule, men recover slightly faster than women. Alcohol metabolism occurs in the liver. Enzymes in this organ work to break down ethanol and remove it completely from the body. Metabolites that are formed as a result of the breakdown of ethanol are excreted by the kidneys. The liver of a healthy person can process approximately 7 mg of ethyl alcohol in 60 minutes. Knowing the amount of pure alcohol that was consumed, you can calculate how long it will take to completely cleanse the body. Of course, detoxification speeds up this process.

Note that to get out of a long-term binge, it is not enough to simply cleanse the blood or put on an IV. Breaking out of a long-term binge is a protracted and complex process: it includes complete detoxification and restoration of the functioning of all systems in the body.

Recovery time depends on the quality of medical care, so we advise you to only go to trusted places with good reviews. Of course, treatment in a hospital is better than at home. However, if you do not have the opportunity to treat the patient in a hospital, then at least call a narcologist to your home.

Remember that treating a patient in a hospital can only be done voluntarily , unless there is a court decision to forcibly place the person in a clinic. Therefore, always try to persuade a person to receive quality medical care, based on the fact that otherwise he may lose his former quality of life, as well as work, love and loved ones.

Typically, withdrawal symptoms last from three to six days. With prolonged drinking, it can last up to 14 days. And even after full treatment in a hospital , a person must be prepared for the fact that psychosomatic disorders will bother him for the next few months.

How to normalize the situation

To restore normal sleep, you need to consult a somnologist. to solve instantly . First, a person must be cleansed of toxic substances. This will take from 1 to 3 days.

The use of sedative medications should occur exclusively under medical supervision. The situation cannot be improved with Valocordin or Corvalol. Taking these medications 2 or 3 hours after drinking an alcoholic drink will worsen a person’s poisoning and lead to liver damage.

Everyone should know that not only drug therapy alone, but also conservative therapy will help correct the situation.

A contrast shower will help ease the situation. In 10 minutes the person will feel better. Alcohol poisoning contributes to disruption of water and salt balance. To correct the situation, you need to drink more:

clean water,
fruit and vegetable juices,
kefir,
mineral water.

The more drinks enter the body, the faster the breakdown of alcohol will be removed by the kidneys.

Sleep restoration

You can use medications to restore sleep. They will eliminate the consequences of a hangover, help a person save energy and speed up the recovery process.

As a rule, the next morning after drinking libations, your head hurts very much. The following will help eliminate pain:

aspirin,
analgin,
Mexidol.

It is better not to take paracetamol or citramon, as these drugs have a negative effect on the liver.

Medicines during a hangover should be taken with great caution , as a side effect or overdose can have a strong effect on the liver. Sleeping pills or sedatives should be purchased on the recommendation of a doctor. First of all, this applies to such medicines as:

diphenhydramine,
Valium,
Elenium.

These products help regulate the depth of sleep. But their highest efficiency will play a cruel joke and cause serious poisoning. It is better to buy medicines that have less power and strength, and are softer. You can take the following as sedatives:

motherwort,
afobazole,
glycine,
novopassitis,
valerian.

These drugs are best taken in small dosages directly at night. But you shouldn’t hope that taking medications will instantly help you improve your sleep. The effect of restorative procedures will be noticeable a few days after the start of therapy.

Melatonin helps well in eliminating insomnia. Melatonin is a hormone that is responsible for the sleep-wake cycle. It is a derivative of serotonin and is produced only at night or in the dark.

When using medications , the following recommendations must be followed:

You cannot take both medicinal and sedatives at the same time;
you must follow all the doctor’s recommendations;
strictly adhere to the dosage and regimen.

When is it time to ask for help?

You should immediately call a doctor at home in the following cases:

· A person cannot fall asleep independently for 24 hours or more or sleeps less than 5 hours for 3 or more days.

· Against the background of chronic lack of sleep, symptoms of depression or alcoholic schizophrenia , causeless aggression or delirium tremens .

· An epileptic seizure .

· Despite the fact that problems with sleep have appeared, the alcoholic cannot independently get out of the binge and abstain from drinking alcohol.

· While intoxicated, the person used a sleeping pill and felt unwell.

In these cases, call a narcologist to your home, who will detoxify the body, calm the patient, help him get out of the binge, and select effective drug treatment .

Detoxification of the body

An absorbent will effectively help cope with poisoning. Some people consider activated carbon harmless and use it in unlimited quantities for poisoning. But it's not right. Activated charcoal is a powerful remedy, so you should drink it in moderation. It is taken at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. Penetrating into the body, charcoal removes from it not only poisons, but also trace elements and beneficial substances. This can aggravate some chronic diseases and lead to intestinal problems.

The effect of alcohol on the body

During a binge, alcohol enters the body for several days without interruption. From the stomach it is absorbed into the bloodstream, affecting the nervous system and internal organs. The acid-base balance of the internal environment of the body is disrupted, resulting in dehydration. There is a deficiency of vitamins and microelements.

Ethyl alcohol is broken down in several ways: in the liver with the participation of alcohol dehydrogenase and the ethanol-oxidizing macrosomal system, in all cells of the body with the help of catalase. The intermediate product of metabolism is acetaldehyde. This is a highly toxic substance, the excess of which leads to poisoning and the development of withdrawal symptoms.

ethnoscience

Folk remedies show good results in eliminating insomnia after a hangover. First of all, to restore sleep, you need to get your nerves in order. Herbs such as:

valerian,
motherwort,
mint.

It is better to use a decoction or infusion, but not an alcohol tincture. The infusion is prepared as follows: pour boiling water over the collection, place in a water bath for 10-15 minutes, and then infuse for 40 minutes or one hour. Decoctions and infusions will help eliminate irritation and fatigue.

A good remedy is brine. It will help retain fluid in the body and saturate the tissues with water.

St. John's wort tea has an excellent effect. It helps to get rid of insomnia. St. John's wort plant extract includes the following components:

activating blood supply to the brain,
soothing,
improving liver function.

Weak black tea with a small amount of honey added can also quickly get rid of a hangover.

All these drinks will help restore the nervous system, improve health and improve the general condition of the body.

After this, it is necessary to replenish the supply of vital nutrients. They are retinol acetate, tocopherol acetate, ascorbic acid. B vitamins are considered powerful antidepressants. They eliminate anxiety and the consequences of stress, such as a hangover. These substances are found in required amounts in vegetables and fruits:

cabbage,
lemon,
orange,
mandarin,
black and red currants,
rosehip,
bananas,
carrots,
plums.

Everyone should know that visiting a bathhouse helps improve metabolic processes. This procedure can be used by everyone except people with heart disease.

Hop cones help eliminate insomnia. An infusion is made from them: 2 tablespoons of cones are poured with a glass of boiling water. Take a third of a glass after meals.

To calm down and sleep soundly, you can use the following recommendations.

Following heavy libations, you can drink a glass of milk.
A non-hot bath with thyme will help you relax and improve the functioning of your digestive system.
To improve your perception of what is happening, you need to drink a glass of kefir with a spoonful of honey added to it.
Hawthorn decoction will make it easier to fall . It will also improve the functioning of the entire body and have a general strengthening effect.

If a person has completely lost sleep, then only a doctor can help him.

Insomnia after heavy drinking: what to do

The most reliable way to avoid complications is to contact a specialized specialist to get out of the alcohol tailspin and relieve the main withdrawal symptoms. Knowing the pathogenetic reason why, after a long binge, there is insomnia and bad dreams , the doctor uses a combination of drugs to cleanse the body of alcohol and normalize the activity of the nervous system. This:

Benzodiazepines. Eliminates the main manifestations of withdrawal syndrome: anxiety, psychomotor agitation, sleep disorders, general emotional discomfort associated with a strong desire to drink again.
Anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsants are indicated to relieve tremor and prevent epileptic seizures.
Neuroleptics. Used in the development of symptoms of acute alcoholic psychosis against the background of prolonged insomnia.
Thiamine and other B vitamins. Help restore the physiology of metabolic processes, the production of enzymes, neurotransmitters, and have a positive effect on the functions of the nervous system.
Antioxidants to protect tissues (primarily liver parenchyma) from toxic products of lipid peroxidation.
Nicotinic acid to activate peripheral circulation.
Infusion solutions to accelerate metabolism and stimulate kidney function.
Nootropics for improving the functioning of brain cells in conditions of oxygen starvation due to spasm of cerebral vessels.

They also use painkillers, hepatoprotectors, and, if indicated, means to stabilize blood pressure and heart rate.

Self-medication

Is it possible to solve the problem of how to fall asleep with insomnia after a binge on your own, without the intervention of a doctor? According to experts, self-medication is acceptable in the following cases:

the drinking period does not exceed 3–4 days;
there have been no previous episodes of alcoholic psychosis;
there are no chronic somatic and mental diseases;
An addict is able to control his cravings for alcohol.

But at the same time, strong sleeping pills and sedatives are strictly contraindicated (combination with ethanol metabolites circulating in the blood can cause severe complications); if you experience daytime sleepiness, you should not abuse energy drinks.

The following drugs are safe (in dosage according to instructions):

solutions for oral dehydration;
adsorbents;
analgesics from the NSAID group;
enzymes, probiotics;
restoratives.

The patient also needs to drink plenty of fluids (brine, mineral water, fruit drinks are suitable), a gentle diet, and contrast water procedures. But if there is no tendency to feel better or, conversely, the person’s condition worsens, it is necessary to call a narcologist as quickly as possible.

Medicines you shouldn't take to improve your sleep

Once ethanol has entered the body, sufficient time is required for it to be broken down and eliminated. Therefore, only stopping drinking alcohol will help restore sleep.

During an exacerbation, the following medications should never be taken (even if there is a good goal to normalize sleep):

Phenazepam. It is one of the most powerful tranquilizers. Side effects include psychosis, depressive states, a decrease in intellectual acuity, and disruption of the process of memorizing information. This drug should never be used without medical supervision. The same group includes Relanium, Sibazon, Elenium.
Products containing phenobarbitals. These include Corvalol and Valoserdin. Uncontrolled use can lead to damage to the central nervous system. The person may fall into a coma. The outcome will most likely be fatal.

Using the right treatment techniques is the key to health. The use of medications under the supervision of a physician will help quickly normalize sleep and speed up the body’s recovery process.

Medications

The modern pharmacological industry has stepped far forward. Today there are medications that can relieve unpleasant conditions and disorders, including those associated with alcohol withdrawal, in an extremely short time. The only condition put forward by most manufacturers is that they must be prescribed by a qualified doctor. Only a doctor can correctly collect anamnesis, identify the presence of contraindications, intolerances, select the optimal form, and correctly calculate the dosage and duration of use. When it comes to drugs taken orally, doctors most often prescribe the following:

Painkillers. Mexidol, Zorex and regular aspirin. They have a pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, due to which they alleviate the patient’s condition and improve his well-being as part of complex drug therapy. It is better to avoid pure paracetamol and citramon; these drugs in tandem with ethanol have an extremely negative effect on the liver.
Sleeping pills. The most effective are Elenium, Valium, Diphenhydramine. The drugs have a mild anti-obsessive and pronounced sedative effect. In combination with paracetamol they have a powerful hypnotic effect, but the justification of such a combination should only be determined by a doctor. And it is not always possible to purchase these medications without a prescription.
Sedatives. Binge alcoholics often do not get sleep due to severe overexcitation or psycho-emotional exhaustion. In this case, you cannot do without sedatives (relieving excessive tension). Afobazole, novopassit, glycine are some of the most popular and widespread. This is due to their effectiveness and lack of addictive effect.

It is strictly not recommended to use these drugs without first consulting a specialized specialist. If it is not possible to call a narcologist at home, and you don’t want to go to the dispensary yourself, as a last resort, you can consult with the emergency dispatcher, but in this case, no one will guarantee safety (the absence of side effects).