How Sleep Problems can put Recovery at Risk | WRRC

How Sleep Problems can put Recovery at Risk

Did you know that sleep plays a big part in successful recovery? Without proper sleep scheduling, individuals may be at a higher risk for relapse. This is because a lack of sleep can bring about a number of psychological issues like mood swings. But, individuals in recovery may be at an increased risk for developing sleep problems like insomnia due to high stress levels. So, those who plan on living a life of sobriety should be aware of the impact recovery can have on sleep. This way, they can prepare for this issue and be better suited to tackle sleep problems during recovery. And protect their recovery at all costs.

The Benefits of Quality Sleep in Recovery

How Sleep Problems can put Recovery at RiskEssentially, the characteristics of insomnia are not being able to fall asleep or waking in the night and not being able to fall back asleep. So, those struggling with insomnia don’t get enough quality sleep. Unfortunately, experiencing insomnia in the days of early recovery is actually quite common. This is due to changing brain chemicals resulting from the detox process and the body trying to get back to how it was before addiction took hold. Fortunately, the effects of insomnia go away for many individuals in recovery after a few months. But, some individuals may end up dealing with insomnia on a more long term or even permanent basis.

Sleep, especially for people in recovery, is essential for a healthy lifestyle. Sleep helps our bodies with a number of things, the most important being mood management. Those who lack quality sleep may struggle with mood swings, agitation, high levels of stress, and more as a result of the lack of sleep they get. Unfortunately, this deregulation of moods is what can lead to relapse. Furthermore, because a lack of sleep can lead to relapse, it’s the single most important reason to invest in better sleep patterns and address the impact of insomnia.

Besides the impact insomnia has on mood management, there are other reasons individuals should get quality sleep. Sleep problems can lead to a lack of focus, which can make achieving treatment and sobriety efforts a challenge. Furthermore, this can lead to a problem with the progression of treatment.

Some Tips for Dealing with Sleep Problems in Treatment and Recovery

While not all individuals will deal with insomnia during treatment or recovery, some will. So, it’s a good idea to understand what you can do to address insomnia before going to treatment. Individuals struggling with sleep problems during treatment or recovery can include:

  • Neglecting to eat sweets or drink caffeine at least two hours before going to sleep.
  • Refraining from heavy exercise before going to bed.
  • Staying away from using computers, smartphones, or television before going to bed.
  • Only laying down in bed when it’s time to go to sleep.
  • Creating and sticking to a sleep routine.
  • Making the bedroom a comfortable place to rest by ensuring darkness and comfortable bedding.

Helping you Throughout the Treatment Process and After

Here at Wellness Retreat Recovery Center, we know that treatment and recovery will differ for each person. So, we aim to help individuals with whatever issues may arise during their time in treatment with us and after, once they’ve graduated from our program. Patients in our care can expect to receive both medical and therapeutic support from us if they ever experience sleep problems. This way, we can help increase the chances of treatment success and provide individuals with the tools they need to maintain long-term sobriety.

How Cocaine Abuse Affects Families Through Generations

To learn more about our programs and how we can help with various issues during treatment contact us today.