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Sleep Management Among Patients with Substance Use Disorders
Subhajit Chakravorty1, Ryan G Vandrey2, Sean He3
1Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, MIRECC, 2nd Floor, Postal Code 116, 3900 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
The Medical Clinics of North America
|June 24, 2018
Summary
Sleep disturbances and substance use disorders frequently coexist. Addressing insomnia in substance use disorder patients may involve promoting abstinence for acute cases or referring chronic or complex cases to sleep specialists.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Addiction Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Sleep and substance use disorders (SUDs) exhibit significant comorbidity.
- Insomnia is a common symptom during substance use and withdrawal.
- Circadian rhythm disruptions are increasingly recognized in relation to psychoactive substance use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between sleep disorders and substance use disorders.
- To discuss diagnostic considerations for insomnia in SUD populations.
- To outline treatment approaches for sleep disturbances in the context of SUDs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on sleep disorders and substance use.
- Analysis of diagnostic criteria for insomnia and related sleep disturbances.
- Examination of treatment guidelines for co-occurring sleep and SUDs.
Main Results:
- Insomnia frequently accompanies substance use and withdrawal.
- Sleep-related breathing disorders should be considered in patients with opioid or alcohol use disorder.
- Circadian rhythm abnormalities are linked to psychoactive substance use.
Conclusions:
- Brief insomnia in active SUD is best managed by promoting abstinence.
- Chronic insomnia or suspected intrinsic sleep disorders warrant referral to a sleep medicine clinic.
- Integrated treatment approaches are crucial for managing co-occurring sleep and substance use disorders.
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