A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between young adults' sleep habits and substance use, with a focus on self-medication behaviours

Sleep Med Rev. 2023 Aug:70:101792. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101792. Epub 2023 May 22.

Abstract

Young adults (18-30 years) are vulnerable to sleep-wake disturbances and substance use, which are bi-directionally associated. The present work aims to organise the literature that deals with the association between sleep and substance use in young adults, also considering self-medication behaviours. We adopted a framework that accounts for the multidimensionality of sleep and the effect of different substances. We considered sleep disturbances (insomnia symptoms, sleep quality), sleep health dimensions (duration, satisfaction, efficiency, timing, daytime alertness), circadian characteristics (chronotype). Substances were alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, cannabis, others. We included 46 studies. The use of caffeine and nicotine was associated with higher odds of sleep disturbances. No significant effect was detected for sleep duration. In narrative findings, daytime dysfunction was associated with alcohol and caffeine use, and poor sleep satisfaction with nicotine use. Few evidence were available for the other sleep health dimensions. Evening chronotype was associated with alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine use. Few studies focused on cannabis or self-medication. Longitudinal results were inconclusive. We found a distinct pattern of associations between different substances and different sleep outcomes. Further investigation considering the multidimensionality of sleep would create a better understanding of the complex relationship between substance use and sleep health in young adults.

Keywords: Insomnia; Meta-analysis; Self-medication; Sleep health; Substance use; Young adults.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Caffeine / therapeutic use
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Ethanol / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Nicotine / pharmacology
  • Sleep
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders* / drug therapy
  • Sleep Wake Disorders*
  • Substance-Related Disorders*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Caffeine
  • Nicotine
  • Ethanol