Drugs and Sleep Deprivation

Most people looking for a good night's rest know to avoid lattes before bedtime. But did you know that other drugs, such as birth control pills and antidepressants, could potentially rob you of sleep?

Drug use, drug abuse and drug withdrawals have all been linked with sleeping disorders. However, since chemicals work differently in each human body, their affects can differ from person to person, making it difficult to determine exactly how much a certain drug can impact a person's sleep.
Drugs that Cause Sleep Deprivation: Nicotine, Alcohol and Caffeine
Three drugs that can have a large impact on your ability to fall asleep and/or to stay asleep are nicotine, alcohol and caffeine:
  • Nicotine: One of the most commonly used drugs that can cause sleep deprivation is nicotine. Smoking has been found not only to disrupt sleep but also to reduce total sleep time. In studies, smokers have described more daytime drowsiness than nonsmokers.

    If you're a smoker experiencing sleep issues, you might consider quitting smoking all together, though experts warn that sleep disruptions stemming from nicotine may not be resolved overnight. Talk to your physician to see if he or she can prescribe a medicine to help you overcome symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.

  • Alcohol: Alcohol is a drug many people associate with deep sleep and falling asleep quickly. However, while alcohol can help you fall asleep, the sleep alcohol induces is not the deep sleep that your body requires to function properly. People who drink before bed also wake more often during the night, constantly disturbing their bodies natural sleep pattern.

    Doctors recommend never using alcohol as a sleep aid. They also suggest not drinking alcohol after dinner and preferably not for several hours before bedtime.

  • Caffeine: Caffeine is a stimulant. People often drink beverages containing caffeine to wake themselves up in the morning or to stay alert during the day. Consuming caffeine excessively throughout the day or too close to bedtime, however, can greatly impact your ability to fall asleep and can make it difficult to stay asleep.

    In order to help caffeine-induced sleep deprivation, doctors recommend drinking no more than 200 mg (about two cups of coffee) per day. They also suggest limiting your caffeine intake to morning hours.

Other Drugs that Cause Sleep Deprivation

Besides alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, other drugs can cause sleep problems. Drugs known to affect sleep include:
  • contraceptive pills that contain hormones
  • diet pills that contain caffeine
  • drugs for Attention Deficit Disorder, such as Ritalin or Adderall
  • inhaled respiratory medicines
  • illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines
  • medications for blood pressure conditions
  • certain antidepressants
  • pseudoephedrine drugs that contain caffeine, including Sudafed and Excedrin
  • steroids.

It is not uncommon for a person to experience transient insomnia, which generally lasts for only a few days. If you experience disrupted sleep for a week or more, you may want to consider speaking with a medical expert. Be sure to tell your physician about any drugs you are taking to determine if they might be the cause of your sleep disturbances.

Resources

Bradbury, J. (2002). Common Drugs and the Pursuit of a Good Night's Sleep. The Lancet, 359, 140.

WebMD (2005). Sleep Deprivation. Retrieved December 28, 2006 from the WebMD Web site: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/105/107676.htm.

Williams, K. (2006, December). Sleep Deprivation; Managing Insomnia During Quit Attempts. Pharmacy News.