Substance abuse is on the rise. Social isolation is causing a spike in alcohol consumption and the opioid epidemic is raging on. But what’s at the heart of these disturbing behavioral trends? Research from the National Institutes of Health suggests that sleep difficulties are a significant predictor for a number of substance-related problems.

Sleep Problems as a Child Can Predict Substance Abuse

Trouble sleeping, be it falling asleep or staying asleep, can be an early indication that a person may struggle with alcohol, or substance abuse at large, later on in life. Studies found that children who experience insomnia increase their risk of encountering problems with drugs as early as 3-4 years later.

• National polls indicate that ~30% of adolescents do not sleep enough.
• Another poll found that one in ten adolescents had trouble falling asleep or staying asleep almost every day.
• Sleep problems from ages 3-5 significantly predicted the early use of alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs as well as either the occasional or regular use of cigarettes by ages 12–14.

With this information in mind, it’s important to educate younger generations about the importance of sleep especially as it relates to the potential consequences of drinking and substance abuse behaviors.

It’s Not Over Yet

Not only can experiencing trouble sleeping during adolescence accurately predict substance abuse problems later in life, but once a person is struggling with substance abuse the problems sleeping only worsen. For those attempting to get clean and quit, now going through withdrawal, insomnia can be a big obstacle in the path to recovery. Insomnia can often lead to addicts relapsing and returning to using.

How Can Balance Epigenetic Orthodontics Help You Sleep?

Dr. Buck has a tremendous amount of experience treating sleep disorders for groups of all ages. If you or your child is experiencing difficulty sleeping, it may be the result of undiagnosed sleep apnea. If you would like to learn more about options for treatment, call Dr. Buck today at (425) 409-2180 to schedule an appointment.