Alcohol and Sleep: How Alcohol Can Affect Your Sleep

Abstract

This one-page fact sheet provides a concise explanation of the impacts of alcohol consumption on people’s sleep. Alcohol consumption can affect the quality and duration of sleep, suppress REM sleep, and worsen the symptoms of sleep apnea and insomnia. In particular, the fact sheet highlights the vicious circle of alcohol use disorders and disturbed sleep, stresses the link between sleeping well and overall health, and urges people to seek help if their drinking is interfering with their sleep. Last, it offers five simple tips to help people improve their sleep.