Drugs are characterized by producing a series of effects in the body that can range from stimulants to depressants. People who use these substances do so to experience such seemingly pleasant symptoms. However, there are other types of effects that can be very dangerous for people who take drugs. The longer it has been used, the more serious the consequences will be. One of the effects of long-term consumption is based on sleep. Depending on the drug, sleep will be more or less affected, but, in any case, this can greatly complicate the life of those who suffer from it. Let us see how drugs affect sleep.
Disturbed Sleep
It is well known that drugs are a class of substances that affect the body by altering it at many levels. The effects they produce will have a greater incidence in one aspect or another, depending on the amount consumed and the composition of the drug. In any case, it can be said that, in general, drugs alter the body causing, in most cases, great changes in the natural ability to sleep. Among other things, this causes sleep to lose its natural properties to regain energy.
Heart Issues
Sleep is not the only thing that is affected, since drugs affect the entire nervous system. Thus, the problems can worsen, creating significant cardiovascular complications since drugs directly alter the normal functioning of the heart. In the event that your sleep pattern begins to change, it is most likely that blood pressure will also vary disproportionately. Because of this, heart attacks can occur, as well as infections in the blood vessels that will affect the quality of sleep, in addition to other cardiovascular problems.
Effects of Various Drugs on Sleep
Cocaine like the rest of the stimulant drugs, reduces the feeling of need for sleep. Many times, patients do not have the subjective perception of sleep disturbance or non-restorative sleep. In this case, cocaine has a euphoric effect on the mood, decreases the total time of sleep, and alters its continuity. In contrast, during the withdrawal period, total sleep time and daytime sleepiness increase.
If marijuana is consumed in high doses, REM sleep, and slow-wave sleep decrease. Other affectations derived from the use of cannabis are the increase in the number of periodic movements of the extremities during sleep and gives a more fragmented sleep. On the other hand, marijuana withdrawal reduces the quality of sleep, increases latency, and can produce strange dreams. It has also been observed that abstinence after smoking four or five cigarettes a day, even after a short period, is associated with an increase in latency and REM phase.
In terms of alcohol, it is also the substance that has been studied the most. Not surprisingly, it is the most widely used anxiolytic and hypnotic in the Western world. Specific use of this drug produces a sleep-inducing effect. However, continued consumption deteriorates the quality of sleep, worsening even more during the abstinence period. If the doses are low, there are no clear effects on the sleep function. However, at higher doses, the effect produced is similar to that of a short-acting hypnotic. This means that it reduces sleep latency, It also reduces awakenings, sleep phase 1, and the density of rapid eye movements (REM) in the first the middle of the night During the second half of the night, it is characterized by the presence of regrowth phenomena with an increase in sleep phase 1, an increase in awakenings and an increase in REM sleep.
On the other hand, it has been observed that chronic alcoholics experience a decrease in deep, slow sleep and REM sleep, as well as more fragmented sleep. In addition, these alterations are aggravated during the withdrawal phase. Addicts experience less sleep, and sleep is more fragmented, and slow sleep decreases, while the duration and density of the REM phase increase. In fact, one of the factors of relapse in alcohol consumption after a period of abstinence may be the persistence of sleep disturbances. Therefore, it is advisable to give sleep inducers during the acute withdrawal phase. If insomnia continues, one possibility is to use sedative antidepressants to improve sleep quality and prevent relapses.
Conclusion
Regardless of which drugs or substances are used, there is always a deprivation of sleep. If you feel that you want to give up drugs or alcohol with help from a recovery center, contact Impact Recovery Center. All you have to do is click here.
