Insomnia is a terrible condition that robs a person of sleep. Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep, usually in reoccurring episodes. Many people associate insomnia and alcohol, but there is more than meets the eye. It has been said that alcohol is a good treatment for insomnia, when in reality it is more of a hinderance than a solution.

Why Alcohol Affects Sleep

Consuming alcohol affects the body in many ways. Because it is a depressant, it can make a person feel tired, but typically at a time that is outside their regular sleep cycle. Plus, after its effects wear off, it can actually stimulate the body. This depends on the amount of alcohol consumed, and varies by person, but either way alcohol actually disrupts the circadian rhythm or sleep pattern.

Multiple studies have shown that alcohol does indeed induce sleep at first, but more importantly it interrupts the second cycle, known as REM sleep. REM stands for "rapid eye movement", and it is the most restful period of sleep, so by disrupting it the sufferer's quality of sleep is greatly reduced. For people who consume alcohol regularly, the withdrawal affects they experience during sleep reduce the effects of sleep. So, the combination of insomnia and alcohol can lead to prolonged problems getting a good night's sleep.

More Issues With Alcohol

One other issue with drinking alcohol as an insomnia "treatment" is the limiting of long-term treatment options. This can be a vicious cycle, because the sufferer will latch onto alcohol as their choice for getting to sleep due to the short-term results, causing many long-term problems with their liver, excess body fat, heart and kidneys.

It is much easier to stop the tendency to use alcohol as a solution for insomnia if provided with a worthwhile, healthy alternative. There are many prescriptions on the market to treat the effects of insomnia, and plenty of excellent alternative treatments as well. One natural hormone, known as melatonin, helps to trigger the body's sleep patterns. Some have reported findings of alcohol being directly related to a lack of melatonin in the system, which could be a direct result of the link between alcohol and insomnia.

By utilizing proper treatment options such as prescriptions, herbal remedies and behavioral treatments such as meditation, feng shui or soothing music, the insomnia sufferer can enjoy having more energy without the use of alcohol.