The Prevalence of Substance-Assisted Sleep

New data from the University of Michigan’s⁣ annual Monitoring the Future Panel‍ Study shows that using substances to help with sleep is common among young adults. The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug abuse (NIDA), found ⁣that 22% of Americans ages 19 to 30 said ‌they used cannabis, alcohol,⁤ or both to help themselves sleep.

Cannabis was used much ‍more frequently enough than alcohol for sleep. About⁣ 18% of young adults reported using cannabis to fall asleep, while 7% said they used alcohol for the same reason. Among those who had used cannabis at any point in the past year, 41%⁤ said helping themselves fall asleep was one reason they used it.

Experts‍ warn of Potential Risks to Sleep Quality

Researchers caution that relying on substances for ‍sleep can create a cycle of dependency​ and ultimately worsen sleep quality. “Using these substances to get ⁢to sleep can backfire ⁢because they can interfere with the ability to stay asleep and achieve restorative sleep,” explains​ Dr. Carol Patrick, lead author of the study and a research scientist at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research.

While these substances may initially induce drowsiness, they can disrupt the natural sleep‌ cycle, leading to fragmented sleep, reduced REM sleep, ‌and increased⁢ daytime fatigue. Long-term use ‌can also contribute to tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect, ⁤and possibly leading to substance use disorder.

The Impact on Overall health

Poor sleep quality is linked to a wide range of health problems,​ including:

• Weakened immune system
• Increased risk of chronic diseases (e.g.,heart disease,diabetes)
• mental health issues (e.g., anxiety, depression)
• Impaired ⁤cognitive function

Why Health care Providers Should ‍Pay Attention

As sleep problems and substance use frequently enough occur together in young adulthood, the ‌researchers emphasize the importance ​of integrated screening and support. The findings highlight the ‌need for clinicians to be aware of this‍ connection and proactively⁤ address both issues.

“Health care providers should understand how common both sleep problems and substance use are during young​ adulthood,” Patrick said. “And that many young adults are ‍using cannabis specifically to get to sleep. ⁣People who are trying to manage sleep problems should talk ‍to their doctors or other providers.”

Effective interventions include cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which​ helps individuals develop ⁤healthy sleep habits, and substance⁤ use counseling. Addressing underlying mental health concerns, such as ‍anxiety or depression, is also crucial.