Changes in Sleep Quality and Insomnia Severity After Day Therapy in Patients with Alcohol Dependence: A...

Background/Objectives: Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and heavy alcohol consumption remain major global public health concerns, substantially increasing morbidity, mortality, and the overall burden of disease. Insomnia affects 15-30% of the general population and up to 36-91% of individuals with AUD, and evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship in which sleep disturbances may contribute to future alcohol consumption. The primary objective of the study was to assess the impact of an eight-week day therapy program on sleep quality and the severity of insomnia symptoms in individuals with alcohol dependence. Methods: The survey was conducted at the Addiction and Co-Addiction Therapy Center in northwestern Poland. Patients completed the survey questionnaires during individual meetings with a researcher, who personally administered the survey both before and after therapy. Ninety-five patients participated in the study, including 32 women (33.68%) and 63 men (66.32%). The study used the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI), as well as a questionnaire containing sociodemographic data. Results: Before treatment, the mean AIS score for the entire sample was 9.09 ± 5.22, indicating clinically significant insomnia. After 8 weeks of therapy, the AIS score decreased to 5.22 ± 3.33. Similarly, the mean total PSQI score declined from 7.12 ± 3.99 at baseline to 4.13 ± 3.33 following treatment, reflecting a significant improvement in sleep quality. Conclusions: Eight weeks of daytime therapy significantly reduced insomnia severity in alcohol-dependent individuals, with a >40% decrease in AIS scores and a marked improvement in sleep quality reflected by a reduction in PSQI scores to the cutoff level.