Opioid use disorder and sleep disturbances often co-occur, and the relationship between the two is quite complex. Opioids can affect sleep in different ways, depending on the dosage, duration of use, and other factors. Although they can make you sleepy, they can also affect sleep architecture, reduce sleep quality, and even lead to sleep disorders.
This article will explore the link between opioid use disorder and sleep and discuss the effects of different opioid addiction treatments on sleep.
How Does the Use of Opioids Affect Sleep?
The use of opioids affects sleep negatively. The link between opioid drug use and sleep problems can be best described as complex and bilateral, as both can exacerbate one another. In other words, trouble sleeping may lead to increased opioid use, whereas opioid use may disrupt sleep and worsen its quality.
Opioids are potent painkillers prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain management, usually when non-opioid pain medications do not help or cannot be used.
Upon initiating opioid therapy, many patients feel relief as their pain subsides. While there’s a correlation between chronic pain and sleep problems, acute pain may also keep you awake at night. Since sedation is a common side effect of opioid medications, these drugs may seem like a godsend for those struggling to fall or stay asleep.
However, opioids should never be used as a sleep aid; they can negatively affect sleep, even when taken for a short time.
According to Shirin Shafazand, MD, from the University of Miami, both acute and chronic opioid use affects sleep architecture. Acute use increases shifts in sleep states, reduces the amount of slow-wave and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and shortens total sleep time.
Although the amount of time spent in slow-wave and REM sleep normalizes with prolonged use, chronic opioid use increases the likelihood of also excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Not to mention, it considerably amplifies the risk of opioid dependence and addiction.
Besides daytime sleepiness and fatigue, opioid use increases the risk of sleep disorders. A study by Cutrufello et al. found that opioids are associated with the development of central sleep apnea (CSA), obstructive sleep apnea, and ataxic breathing. Mixing opioids with other medications, such as benzodiazepines, further increases the risk of sleep-disordered breathing.
Long-Term Effects of Opioids on Sleep
The long-term effects of opioids on sleep aren’t well-known due to the lack of research.
However, it’s clear that chronic sleep deficiency and opioid use often go hand in hand. Researchers from the University of Colorado Denver found that opioid use may have a lasting impact on sleep quality, as their negative effects on sleep may remain even after months of abstinence.
Next, let’s talk about opioid use disorder and sleep.
What Is Opioid Use Disorder? Signs and Symptoms
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a treatable condition characterized by the loss of control over opioid use. It typically follows untreated opioid dependence, which stems from the chemical changes that occur in the brain due to prolonged opioid use.
While opioid dependence refers to the physical reliance on opioids, OUD is predominantly psychological. People with OUD experience an uncontrollable urge to take opioids and cannot quit them, even when opioid use destroys their careers, relationships, and so forth.
Some tell-tale signs and symptoms of OUD include:
- Becoming unusually withdrawn
- Lying about or hiding opioid use
- Being preoccupied with obtaining and using opioids
- Having a history of failed opioid discontinuation attempts
- Failing to keep up with work or family obligations due to opioid use
- Abusing opioids (e.g., mixing them with other drugs) to enhance their effects
When it comes to opioid use disorder and sleep, the statistics are rather grim—over 75% of people with OUD suffer from sleep dysfunction, such as a lack of sleep, insomnia, and irregular sleep schedules. For most people battling OUD, sleep problems become even more severe during opioid withdrawal.
Understanding the Connection Between Sleep and Opioid Withdrawal
Sleep disturbances are among the most common symptoms of opioid withdrawal, which occurs in opioid-dependent people upon drug discontinuation.
Drug withdrawal typically feels like the complete opposite of the typical effects of the drug. Therefore, while opioids usually cause sedation, withdrawal from opioids or opiates and sleep disturbances like insomnia often co-occur.
Unlike most physical withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating or muscle aches, sleeplessness and other sleep problems often persist beyond the acute withdrawal phase. Some people continue to suffer from sleep disturbances for months and even years after quitting opioids, which is a sign of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
According to Ali Yoonessi et al., struggling to fall or stay asleep is a major risk factor for relapse, as sleep problems may intensify opioid cravings. Relapse after abstaining from opioids is extremely dangerous due to the risk of a potentially fatal overdose.
Do not quit opioids “cold turkey” or without medical supervision. This may exacerbate withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia, increasing the risk of complications and relapse.
On that note, let’s learn about the effects of traditional treatments for opioid use disorder on sleep.
How Traditional OUD Treatments Affect Sleep
Traditional OUD treatments, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and rapid detox, have little to no positive effect on sleep. These treatments do not address the underlying causes of opioid dependence. Therefore, you may continue to suffer from sleep problems after undergoing them.
Let’s explore the topic of treatments for opioid use disorder and sleep in greater detail:
MAT and Sleep
Research demonstrates that MAT does not have a positive effect on sleep. This OUD treatment combines behavioral therapy and counseling with opioids, such as methadone or buprenorphine. Although these medications are used as substitutes for other opioids, they are no less dangerous and can lead to addiction and overdose, especially if abused.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University found that people with OUD receiving outpatient MAT are highly prone to sleep problems, such as awakenings, loss of slow-wave and REM sleep, and so forth.
Rapid Detox and Sleep
Rapid detox, also known as ultra-rapid detox, does not resolve sleep disturbances.
This anesthesia-assisted procedure swiftly rids the body of opioids with the help of opioid antagonist medications, such as naloxone or naltrexone. Although it is often marketed as a “quick fix”—some detox facilities promise results within as little as 24 hours—this procedure does not cure opioid dependence or eliminate withdrawal symptoms.
Rapid detox simply clears opioids from the system, but this isn’t nearly enough to sustain lasting recovery. Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for people to suffer from severe long-term withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia and other sleep problems, after this treatment.
How ANR Opioid Dependence Treatment Affects Sleep
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is an ultra-modern opioid dependence treatment that has a positive effect on sleep. By repairing the damage opioids cause to the central nervous system (CNS), it eliminates the risk of persistent opioid-induced sleep disturbances.
Traditional treatments treat the symptoms of opioid dependence without acknowledging its root cause—the chemical imbalance caused by prolonged opioid use. All opioids, be they methadone or heroin, cause the brain to stop endorphin production and increase that of opioid receptors, leading to tolerance and dependence.
Repairing this imbalance is paramount to treating opioid dependence. Once it’s fixed, you will no longer experience withdrawal symptoms.
Unlike other treatments, ANR returns the brain to its pre-addiction state by modulating the endorphin-receptor system. Thanks to its comprehensive approach, ANR treatment facilitates long-term recovery without requiring you to take opioid-replacement drugs that can potentially disrupt sleep.
By re-regulating and optimizing the endorphin-receptor system, ANR negates the risk of ongoing withdrawal symptoms, including sleep problems. Consequently, it allows patients to enjoy restful sleep soon after the treatment.
Here’s what one of ANR patients, Bet from Belgium, had to say about the effect of the treatment on sleep:
“I am so well; I can live again and enjoy my family. I have an enormous joy in my heart! The people around me see a new person. My sleep has changed; I don’t have to sleep so much anymore, and I am usually top-fit early in the morning.”
Conquer Opioid Dependence With ANR Treatment
Developed by Dr. Andre Waismann, ANR is a groundbreaking approach that revolutionized opioid dependence treatment. With an average hospital stay of just 36 hours, it has helped close to 25,000 people worldwide break free from opioid dependence within a matter of days.
ANR stands out as the first and only opioid dependence treatment that repairs the endorphin-receptor system, contributing to its exceptional success rate. Since the treatment is performed under sedation, you can rest assured you won’t experience any uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms during the procedure.
Furthermore, ANR is scientifically proven to be safe. It is carried out by a team of board-certified medical professionals, including anesthesiologists, in an ICU setting of fully accredited hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment.
Unlike traditional methods, ANR isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment; it offers a personalized approach by tailoring the treatment plan to each patient’s medical history and needs. Therefore, it is suitable even for those with co-occurring health problems.
Get started with ANR today by contacting us and scheduling a free, 100% confidential consultation!
Key Takeaways
We hope you found this article helpful in learning more about opioid use disorder and sleep.
Before you leave, let’s go over the key points we covered:
- Opioid use disorder and sleep problems are closely related, with the majority of people struggling with OUD experiencing insomnia, fragmented sleep, and other sleep disturbances.
- Sleep problems are highly prevalent in people going through opioid withdrawal. Seeking professional help for opioid dependence is crucial, as poor sleep is associated with a high risk of relapse.
- ANR is the only opioid dependence treatment that can put an end to opioid use disorder and sleep problems quickly and effectively by bringing the endorphin-receptor system back to balance.
Opioid Use Disorder and Sleep FAQ
The complications of OUD include cardiovascular disease, liver damage, weakened immune system, infectious diseases like HIV, and the exacerbation of mental health conditions, among others. Treating OUD is crucial, as people addicted to opioids face an extremely high risk of opioid overdose, which can be lethal if not treated quickly.
MAT does not help with opioid-related sleep disturbances. On the contrary, those in MAT are likely to suffer from sleep disturbances. A study done by researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina found that the prevalence of chronic sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, is very high among patients taking medications for OUD treatment.
You can expect your sleep to improve soon after undergoing ANR. ANR reverses the damage opioids cause to the brain and restores normal brain function, eradicating opioid dependence together with withdrawal symptoms. As a result, patients enjoy better sleep shortly after the procedure.
Insomnia is a common withdrawal symptom from opioids. While drowsiness is among the most common side effects of opioids like morphine or oxycodone, many people struggle to fall or stay asleep after opioid cessation.
Pain affects sleep negatively, reducing both the quality and quantity of sleep. Both acute and chronic pain can disrupt sleep or prevent you from sleeping, as it keeps the CNS aroused.
Yes, opioids do cause sleepiness. Sleepiness is a common side effect of all opioid medications. However, opioid use can also disrupt sleep, leading to daytime sleepiness. If you’re feeling sleepy after taking opioids, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while taking them.
