Addiction takes its toll on the body. One way it does so is by disrupting sleep patterns. Depending on the substance abuse one is struggling with, individuals can find themselves sleeping too much, experiencing distressed or erratic sleep, or suffer from insomnia. All of these put undue stress upon the body that has been known to lead to relapse for those who have already completed addiction treatment. Therefore, nurturing good sleep habits and learning how to develop them is a key to maintaining sobriety and making addiction recovery lasting.

The Science of Healthy Sleep Patterns

When we were in a state of active addiction, we were rarely able to maintain healthy sleep patterns and routines. Recovery is about healing the mind, body, and spirit from the damage caused by drugs and alcohol. In sobriety, sleep is an effective tool for improving our well-being and aiding us in the process of healing.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, “Sleep helps your brain work properly. While you’re sleeping, your brain is preparing for the next day. It’s forming new pathways to help you learn and remember information. Studies show that a good night’s sleep improves learning. Whether you’re learning math, how to play the piano, how to perfect your golf swing, or how to drive a car, sleep helps enhance your learning and problem-solving skills. Sleep also helps you pay attention, make decisions, and be creative.”

In recovery, we are attempting to make major changes to our way of thinking, and the development of new neural pathways is essential to this process.

How Good Sleep Habits Impact Addiction Recovery

The ability to make better decisions after a good night’s sleep can be extremely beneficial when faced with problems that could be potential risks to our sobriety. When we can think clearly, we can better engage in our recovery program and make decisions that will aid in our spiritual growth.

Sleep disturbances are common in the early stages of recovery. We should focus on developing healthy sleep habits or bedtime routines to allow our bodies to begin developing patterns to aid in our sleep and wakefulness. Sleep routines allow us to get into the habit of falling asleep at the same time each night and keep us from feeling tired and lethargic throughout the day.

According to the National Institute of Health, “Quality of sleep and the timing of sleep are as important as quantity. People whose sleep is frequently interrupted or cut short may not get enough of both non-REM sleep and REM sleep. Both types of sleep appear to be crucial for learning and memory—and perhaps for the restorative benefits of healthy sleep, including the growth and repair of cells.” Early recovery is the best time to begin developing healthy bedtime habits, to experience the full benefits of the healing power of sleep.

One of the ways individuals can nurture positive sleep habits is through therapy. At Oceanfront Recovery, we offer several therapeutic services such as:

These therapy programs can help individuals in addiction recovery work on their mental and physical health and wellbeing. Doing so creates a positive environment for healthy sleep habits to take hold.

Oceanfront Recovery

Your story can be one of healing and redemption. You can decide to seek help now for addiction and alcoholism and begin building a brighter future. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment facility in beautiful Laguna Beach, California, is staffed with caring and compassionate professionals dedicated to providing you all the tools needed to achieve permanent sobriety. Some of our addiction treatment programs include: