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Why do I have trouble sleeping after drinking?

100 Answers
Last Updated: 07/09/2019 at 9:34pm
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Top Rated Answers
lachat
September 3rd, 2015 7:13am
I usually have trouble sleeping after drinking because the word moderation doe not exist in my dictionary
WolfImmortal
August 29th, 2015 6:13pm
'Cause your sorrows know how to swim. You are trying to drown your pain in alcohol. But your pain knows how to swim. They float on alcohol's surface, and hound you. With every drink, they are getting better and better at swimming and floating.
anni03
August 29th, 2015 12:34am
The reason you may have trouble sleeping after drinking is because alcohol can act like a stimulant. Some people's systems are very sensitive to stimulants like caffeine, or soda, which can keep them awake at night.
UnderstandingButterfly
September 27th, 2015 5:21pm
Drinking alcohol makes you feel sleepy, but it actually disrupts your REM sleep cycle. This means that while you fall asleep faster, you get MUCH less quality sleep in the long run. It's best to stop drinking two hours before you try and sleep for the highest quality sleep. Hope that helps!
InstaCyrus143
August 21st, 2015 9:11am
to directly answer the question (and it is easily google-able): yes, indeed alcohol does disrupt your primary sleep patterns, specifically deleting or negatively impacting the REM phase (which is the most 'necessary' or 'restful' phase of sleep; insomniacs and those with sleep apnea typically have damaged REM states as well). EtOH intoxication also increases sleep apnea events, even in those who usually do not snore or experience sleep apnea, and additionally (which no one else mentions) the biggest detrimental affect that I tend to notice is the mild to moderate dehydration - this is, incidentally, the most profound trigger of 'hangover' symptoms (i.e. nausea, pounding headache, dry mouth, etc...). Minimization strategy: When drinking, always, always continue drinking water. This has a twofold effect: the volume of the water keeps me from drinking 'too much' or getting as intoxicated due to sheer capacity issues. Also, it combats the dehydration. If you drink water with your booze, you won't get AS drunk, you won't get drunk as quickly, and you will suffer less hangover symptoms which will lessen the Day 2... impacts as well.
Tomislav
August 26th, 2015 9:32pm
Alcohol in itself is something you should do moderately in the first place, my dear questioner. Alcohol affects R.E.M. Phase of your sleep that helps you get the most out of your rest. It can lead to sleep apnea and can disrupt your breathing during sleeping. The higher the dosage, the bigger the reduction of sleep. Drink plenty of water during and after drinking sessions so that you at least dont wake up with a headache. Any sleeping pill or any pill to help you sleep is a big no, dont mix meds and alcohol. Hope i helped.
Anonymous
September 11th, 2015 12:08am
The drink is giving you energy, making your brain more alert and therefore keeping you up. You are full of energy and your brain doesn't want to switch off :)
Rottenstrawberry
August 20th, 2015 7:37pm
you are intoxicated, so your body keeps you alert because when you sleep alcohol is much slower eliminated from your organism.
Peacefulmeditation
August 19th, 2015 7:13am
Alcohol causes you to initially get sleepy, but then causes you to wake soon after and may keep you up. Then it will cause you to feel un-rested after sleeping.
Dandelionheart
August 22nd, 2015 1:35pm
If I drink, I fall asleep easily but then am wide awake just a bit later. I have heard that drinking messes with your body clock. Since I always get a major headache after drinking, which may relate to this, I drink very rarely and when I do, I drink lots of water to dilute it and stay hydrated.
MadBlack1926
August 21st, 2015 8:23pm
Alcohol Likely to Keep You Awake, Not Help You Sleep you can drink before bedtime at least 3 hours and try to avoid drinking before bedtime
SpiritedMeteor
August 20th, 2015 2:08pm
Usually I have trouble sleeping after drinking because I am a nightmare of a drunk. I do have a tendency to black out if I drink too much, and that can be a really terrifying thing. Not knowing what you've done in a night is pretty terrible, and so managing my drinking is now a constant commitment.
food246
August 23rd, 2015 12:16am
It depends on what you are drinking. If you drink something highly acidic or fizzy it could disrupt your stomach while you are sleeping. If not any drinking could be a problem, even water because its another thing that your stomach has to deal with during sleep. Just like eating food, you should not drink at least 30 min before bedtime. The organs in your body are working during sleep, but they are on an almost "slow speed". They are working at a slower pace so it takes longer for your stomach to digest what is being put inside of it, causing your sleep problems.
Anonymous
August 19th, 2015 9:55pm
Are you stresses out? What is the last thing you think about before you go to sleep....and when you wake up
wonderfulMagic99
August 22nd, 2015 12:48am
Alcohol has various effects on the body including the brain, and it is typical for it to alter sleep cycles. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh25-2/101-109.htm This can be further complicated with other substances in the drink, such as sugar or caffeine.
Rickert
August 22nd, 2015 4:14am
Alcohol, my friend, it's just pretty weird stuff, sometimes you are ok, and osmeimtes no :p i know, it's hard
RachieeW
September 12th, 2015 3:52am
After that first or second drink you may be feeling pretty sleepy! Or perhaps after a long night of drinking the most enticing thing is your bed and hours of sleep. But surprisingly drinking can severely mess with your sleep system. Alcohol can force you directly in to a deep sleep, completely missing the beginning stages of sleep. Once the cycle has been tampered with, it's easy to jump all over the place while the body attempts to revitalize after its night of drinking. You may wake up multiple times during the night for this reason. Also because you may have to vomit or go to the bathroom. You should give your body time to process the alcohol and run through your system before catching those Zzz's or you'll have a heck of a hangover the next day.
Pat
August 30th, 2015 5:13pm
Alcohol has a depressant effect at first, but as it is processed in the body it can have a stimulating effect. Depending on the timing of drinking and sleep, this stimulating effect can occur during or right before sleep. This can make it hard to get a good night of rest! Many sleep hygienists will recommend that consumption of alcohol be limited as much as possible for the best sleep!
Anonymous
November 14th, 2015 8:06pm
Sometimes emotions come to the surface after drinking. Once they show themselves, sleeping is tough.
Anonymous
November 5th, 2015 10:54pm
this is because when you drink something e.g a cold glass of water; your brain becomes more alert and therefore causing you to stay awake. this is the same with energy drinks.
Anonymous
November 18th, 2015 1:08am
Because the room is spinning and Ur stomach is turning all you can do is sit up and wait till it ends
heavenslightning
November 6th, 2015 5:22am
Having any fluid in your body can disrupt sleep. Between soda, alcohol etc. People have acid troubles and it can irritate them and make people sick when they lie down. As if it doesn't rest properly in your stomach. Drinking something more heavy like milk would be a lot healthier for when you go to bed. :)
DreamsOfMinerva
November 21st, 2015 10:42pm
I think alcohol forces your body to work in an unusual way, numbing your blood pressure, and confusing your brain cells to get your body ready for sleep.
Anonymous
November 18th, 2015 1:09am
Trouble sleeping after drinking can be tricky, you do work out your liver a lot while drinking. But not being able to sleep may be caused by you having way to much on your mind, or you simply might have just be still in the stimulant style phase of the alcohol!
RedComet42
November 18th, 2015 1:14am
GABA activity & norepinephrine levels have real effects but so does having to pee every 20 minutes.
BlueLettuce
November 19th, 2015 5:41pm
It may be because alcohol makes you feel more excited and more active than you really are, your body may not understand it as like you want to sleep or is in an alert state.
Anonymous
November 20th, 2015 3:49am
Alcohol can act as a depressant so affect your stimulation. You can tend to overthink and overanalyse.
Anonymous
November 20th, 2015 1:59pm
Maybe you have too much on your mind that your mind is over-reacting at night time. Try relaxing excersizes before bed.
Anonymous
November 21st, 2015 3:00am
Alcohol is a downer and dehydrates you, so naturally you would have issues with sleep. It slows down your respiratory system so your organs (particularly liver) have to work much harder than usual
neverLonely
November 28th, 2015 7:13pm
I have trouble sleeping after having more than two drinks. I believe the alcohol disrupts your sleep cycle, and continual problems with sleep may happen due to withdrawal.