Although alcohol may make it easier to fall asleep, it has a negative effect on the overall quality of sleep and could lead to dependence over time.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows brain activity. This can lead to sleepiness, and may lead you to think it’s easier to fall asleep when using alcohol at bedtime. However, alcohol is known to negatively affect the quality and duration of sleep¹, and using it to sleep can be counterproductive.

Those who stop using alcohol are likely to eventually experience better quality and longer-lasting sleep. In the beginning, however, sleep may be more difficult for those who have relied on using alcohol to get to sleep. Stopping alcohol use removes this sleep aid, potentially leading to difficulty initially getting to sleep.

Alternatives to Alcohol for Sleep

The good news for those stopping alcohol use is that there are several ways to fall asleep without using alcohol. These interventions aim to replace the role that alcohol played in getting you to sleep and help you practice good sleep hygiene².

Using an Alternative Beverage

Alcohol not only has a chemical effect that induces sleep¹, but it can also become part of a bedtime routine, making it even harder to sleep when the habit of drinking alcohol before bedtime is stopped. Using an alternative beverage, such as chamomile tea¹⁰, can soothe you to sleep without changes to your bedtime routine.

Exercise or Activity

Exercising or being active before bed can help you sleep³ by making you more tired. Exercise can also boost endorphins, the chemicals in your brain that enhance mood and your ability to relax.

Meditation

Meditation⁴ by itself or as part of a meditative yoga routine can help you become more present and relaxed, improving your ability to fall asleep. The controlled, measured breathing associated with meditation or yoga promotes relaxation and reduces stress, enhancing sleep quality.

Consistent Sleep Routine

At the core of good sleep hygiene is a consistent bedtime routine⁵. Your body has a 24-hour clock, called the circadian rhythm, that helps you naturally fall asleep and wake up. If you consistently go to bed and wake up at the same time, your body will quickly adjust to your routine, and you will find that falling asleep and waking up will come more naturally.

Dedicated Sleep Environment

You will fall asleep easier if you’re in a dark, quiet and relaxing environment that is at a comfortable temperature. Sleep experts also recommend⁶ that you only use your bedroom for sleep or intercourse so that your subconscious associates the bedroom space with sleep.

Avoiding Stimulation

Avoiding stimulation before going to sleep will help improve your ability to fall asleep quickly. Examples of stimulation may vary from one person to another, but avoiding caffeine before bed and limiting screen time⁶ in the hour prior to going to sleep are recommended. It’s also advised to avoid any stressful activity right before going to bed or attempt to manage any stress you may be experiencing.

Other FAQs

Why does alcohol help me sleep?

Alcohol depresses the body’s neurological system, making it easier to relax and fall asleep. While alcohol helps you fall asleep more easily, it will ultimately negatively affect sleep duration and quality.

Is alcohol a sleep aid?

Alcohol may help you initially get to sleep, but is not recommended as a sleep aid because it actually worsens the overall quality of your sleep. There are many FDA-approved sleep aids⁷ that can help people get to sleep and sleep better, but many of these do not ultimately address the underlying problems that make it difficult to get to sleep.

How much alcohol does it take to affect sleep?

Any amount of alcohol can disrupt sleep; however, the more you drink, the more your sleep will be disrupted. One study⁸ found that moderate and heavy drinking had an especially significant effect on sleep.

How long before bed should I stop drinking?

When using alcohol, the longer you go without it before going to bed, the better your sleep will be. One study on the topic recommends abstaining from alcohol six or more hours¹¹ before going to sleep for the best results.

How Does Alcohol Affect Sleep?

There are many ways that alcohol negatively affects sleep¹. One of the most significant of these is by suppressing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. While sleeping, you go through four distinct stages of sleep characterized by different types of brain waves. The deepest of these stages is REM sleep, which is most important for being fully rested and rejuvenated after sleep. Alcohol inhibits the body’s ability¹ to experience REM sleep, causing fatigue after even a long period of sleep.

Alcohol also causes your muscles to relax more during sleep, including the muscles in the back of your throat and tongue. This can cause¹ or worsen a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which the tongue relaxes during sleep and obstructs the airway. The inability to breathe wakes you up for a few seconds so that you can catch a breath, but you won’t realize you’re awake. The end result is that you can wake up dozens or even hundreds of times during the night and not realize it, interrupting your natural sleep cycle.

While suppression of REM sleep and OSA are the two main adverse effects of alcohol on sleep, alcohol can also cause dehydration, raise body temperature, and cause a more frequent need to urinate, all of which can make it difficult to sleep.

Alcohol and Insomnia

Insomnia⁹ is characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Alcohol contributes to insomnia by suppressing REM sleep and causing OSA. This makes it difficult to stay asleep, but this may not be directly noticeable. Insomnia caused by alcohol can be hidden, creating symptoms of fatigue and sleepiness throughout the day without an obvious cause. Insomnia and alcohol use can create a negative feedback loop, as drinking alcohol to get to sleep can cause more hidden insomnia.

Insomnia and Alcohol Withdrawal

While alcohol use can cause hidden insomnia, a more obvious form of insomnia can occur during alcohol withdrawal. Because alcohol makes falling asleep easier, stopping alcohol use can make it more difficult to fall asleep, even though sleep quality will be better once you are actually asleep. Insomnia experienced during alcohol withdrawal is one reason that people stopping alcohol use often seek professional help.

Alcohol, Sleep & Addiction: When to Get Help

While many people will have an occasional alcoholic beverage, using alcohol every day to fall asleep can indicate that alcohol use is becoming unhealthy. Using alcohol to sleep can indicate a dependence on the effects of alcohol to live your normal life.

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If you or someone you know needs a nightcap to get to sleep, it is an indicator that cutting back or stopping alcohol use should be considered. The Recovery Village at Cherry Hill at Cooper has a proven record of helping people stop using alcohol and experience the benefits of sobriety. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you on your journey to an alcohol-free life.