The association between acute stress-related insomnia and alcohol use

Abstract

Objectives: Despite contributing greatly to overall sleep disturbance, individuals suffering from sleep disorders, such as insomnia, may use alcohol because of a widely-held misconception that it will improve overall sleep quality and quantity. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the motivations for drinking alcohol and acute stress-related insomnia.

Methods: Participants were 191 healthy individuals who were asked to complete an online questionnaire about stress-related insomnia, alcohol consumption, and motivations for drinking alcohol.

Results: Results revealed that individuals high in acute stress-related insomnia reported higher scores on measures of problem drinking behaviors and were more likely to report using alcohol as a means of reducing stress and facilitating sleep despite no difference in consumption rates.

Conclusions: These findings represent an important factor for clinicians to consider when dealing with individuals reporting acute stress-related insomnia, particularly given the overall negative impact of alcohol on sleep quantity and quality, which may lead to an exacerbation of stress and insomnia.