Sleep and Alcohol Use in Women

Sarah M. Inkelis,¹ Brant P. Hasler,² and Fiona C. Baker³

¹Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University and University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
²Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
³Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, California; School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Sleep disturbance is common among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Insomnia not only is a pathway toward alcohol consumption but also is related to increased risk of relapse, psychosocial impairment, decreased quality of life, and suicidal ideation in individuals with AUD. Few studies examining sleep disturbance and alcohol use have explored how this relationship differs between men and women. Historically, studies of AUD have included few, if any, women in their samples. However, women are increasingly consuming alcohol at an earlier age and at higher rates, and the effect of alcohol on women’s mental and physical health is expected to rise. This narrative review consolidates findings from studies that have reported the effects of acute and chronic alcohol use on sleep among women. Additional research is needed to investigate sex differences in this area. Such research should consider the modifying effects of age, lifetime alcohol use, and psychiatric co-occurrence, as well as the effectiveness of combined interventions for AUD and sleep disturbance.

KEY WORDS: adolescence; alcohol use disorder; circadian; sex differences; slow wave sleep; substance use

Read the full article: https://www.arcr.niaaa.nih.gov/arcr402/article13.htm