Sleeping And Cocaine: Does Cocaine Disrupt Sleep?
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Insomnia can lead to a lack of REM sleep, or rapid eye movement sleep, which is the most important phase of sleeping as it helps with memory and learning. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at This can be problematic because not getting enough sleep causes memory and learning deficits, which are comparable to those a person would have from drinking several alcoholic beverages. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are over 1.5 million people in the United States who currently use cocaine. The vast majority of them are young adults who are under the age of 25 years old.
Sleep Therapy in Addiction Treatment
As the effects of the drug wear off, you might experience a ‘crash’ or a ‘comedown’ phase. This can cause you to feel restless, irritable and anxious, all of which can also make it hard to achieve restful sleep, even if you feel tired. Sleep apnoea, a condition characterised by pauses in breathing during sleep, can be exacerbated by cocaine use. Cocaine’s stimulant properties can further contribute to the narrowing of the airways, increasing the risk of apnoea episodes. This combination of cocaine addiction and sleep apnoea poses significant health risks and necessitates appropriate intervention.
- When it comes to cocaine, many experience worse sleep in the first few weeks of sobriety.
- It’s not just about stopping drug use but also fixing other problems like sleep issues that can feed the addiction.
- Cocaine users often neglect healthy sleep habits, exacerbating sleep disturbances and making it challenging to obtain restful sleep.
Can Long-Term Cocaine Use Lead To Insomnia?
Treatment for cocaine use begins with a detoxification process to help flush the drug out of the body. Although the amount of time can vary, this can take up to three weeks to complete. Those who have a cocaine dependence, or chemical dependency on the drug, try to keep up the sensation. They don’t want to feel the withdrawal effects that stopping the drug can cause. Cocaine use and insomnia can simultaneously occur because the effects of cocaine work to speed up the central nervous system.
Treatment Process
Researchers then looked at where these changes originated in the brain and found that the orexin system, a group of neurons that regulate appetite, mood, and wakefulness, was engaged. Orexin activity increases when animals and people are sleep deprived. Although Provigil is not FDA-approved for treating cocaine use, doctors found that Provigil can helpsome peoplewho struggle with cocaine. Doctors think this is because Provigil can affect levels of the brain chemicals dopamine and glutamate. Withdrawal dreams are characterised by vividness and intensity and are a result of imbalances in the brain’s chemistry caused by the absence of substances such as alcohol or drugs.
Sudden Bursts of Energy and Fast Talking
Generally, however, the best treatment for this kind of sleep deprivation is long-term abstinence from cocaine. Though total sleep time may increase, the early abstinence period reduces the quality of that sleep. Many people use cocaine in the evenings, so their brains experience a dopamine spike right when the brain should begin winding down. According to the article “Short-Term Effects of Cocaine”, from DrugFreeCT, the effects of cocaine manifest almost immediately after use though the route of administration determines the duration of effect. But down the line, researchers say the findings could inform new ways of treating addiction and substance abuse in people. Few studies have been conducted on cocaine abuse in people with narcolepsy.
According to https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/meth-addiction-and-abuse-symptoms-and-treatment/ the 2023 article by Vevers S., “What Are The Effects Of Cocaine On The Brain”, from Medical News Today, cocaine use results in paranoia, anxiety, and cardiovascular problems. Additionally, the study indicates that cocaine causes sudden death to body packers who swallow cocaine wrapped in condoms to smuggle them through customs. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, cocaine was introduced to Europe and North America. Due to its highly addictive nature and the impairment it caused, 48 states banned cocaine use at the beginning of World War I. Interestingly, because sleep is also involved in consolidating memories, getting too little could hamper people’s ability to learn — and sustain — strategies to stay sober or abstain from using substances.
Detox depends on how long a person has been using cocaine and which withdrawal symptoms they are experiencing. After this, individual and group therapy sessions can begin in inpatient treatment or outpatient treatment programs. However, EEG Alcohol Use Disorder tests (brain wave tests) and polysomnographic tests (sleep studies), report the opposite. People recovering from cocaine addiction often miscalculate their sleep efficiency. According to the 2024 article by Patterson E., “What Are the Signs of a Cocaine Overdose?
Take the First Step Towards a Comprehensive Recovery
- These changes in the brain can make cocaine very addictive and disrupt sleep even more1.
- According to the 2023 article by Vevers S., “What Are The Effects Of Cocaine On The Brain”, from Medical News Today, cocaine use results in paranoia, anxiety, and cardiovascular problems.
- As sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being, addressing melatonin production and sleep-wake cycle disruptions is an essential aspect of cocaine addiction recovery.
When someone gets enough rest, their brain can better fight off the cravings for cocaine. Studies have shown that sleep can help manage cocaine cravings and even prevent relapse, making it a key part of treatment plans1. Losing sleep due to cocaine use can make the craving for cocaine stronger.
This causes higher levels of dopamine in your brain, which is why using cocaine can make you feel happy and euphoric. The circadian rhythm is a natural pattern based on the 24-hour day that affects our behavior, mental state, and sleeping patterns. Cocaine interacts with certain rhythms and neurotransmitters in your body, throwing them off balance. It is very important that anyone whose sleep patterns have been affected by cocaine use gets the treatment that they need. It can be unsafe for individuals addicted to cocaine to take any medications for insomnia that could be addictive. While cannabis has been used in some early studies to help those with insomnia, its effectiveness and any potential side effects have not yet thoroughly been tested.