Essentials - Sleep Problems Complicated by Substance Use Disorders-Event Handout

Event Handout

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This document discusses the relationship between sleep problems and alcohol and tobacco use. It highlights the increased risk of alcohol-related breathing problems and worsening of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to alcohol consumption. The study also notes that individuals with alcohol use disorders and co-occurring psychiatric disorders have a higher prevalence of sleep-related breathing problems. <br /><br />The research study conducted at WRNMMC (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) examined the relationship between alcohol and sleep problems. The study used wrist-worn devices to monitor sleep parameters and compared them to traditional polysomnography (PSG) results. The researchers found that alcohol biomarkers, such as EtG and EtS, were moderately to highly predictive of diagnosing OSA. However, the study did not find a predictive association between the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score and sleep measures. <br /><br />Regarding tobacco use, the study found that there is a scarcity of published literature on the relationship between tobacco use and sleep problems. However, limited studies have revealed changes in total sleep time, sleep onset, and breathing among tobacco users. The study conducted at WRNMMC enrolled subjects in a substance abuse treatment program and found that self-identified tobacco users reported more somatic symptoms, such as feeling tired, restless, irritable, and numb, compared to non-tobacco users. <br /><br />The study also noted a higher rate of breathing problems among self-identified tobacco users, particularly during REM sleep. However, there were no statistical differences between tobacco users and non-tobacco users in terms of body mass index (BMI), AUDIT score, depression rating scale, insomnia rating scale, and sleepiness scale. <br /><br />In summary, this research emphasizes the complexity of treating sleep problems in individuals with alcohol and tobacco use disorders. It highlights the importance of assessing alcohol biomarkers in diagnosing OSA and recognizing the somatic symptoms reported by tobacco users. However, further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between sleep problems and tobacco use.

Keywords

sleep problems

alcohol

tobacco use

obstructive sleep apnea

alcohol consumption

alcohol use disorders

sleep-related breathing problems

tobacco users

somatic symptoms

substance abuse treatment program