Sleep Management Among Patients with Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Sleep and substance use disorders commonly co-occur. Insomnia is commonly associated with use and withdrawal from substances. Circadian rhythm abnormalities are being increasingly linked with psychoactive substance use. Other sleep disorders, such as sleep-related breathing disorder, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of insomnia, especially in those with opioid use or alcohol use disorder. Insomnia that is brief or occurs in the context of active substance use is best treated by promoting abstinence. A referral to a sleep medicine clinic should be considered for those with chronic insomnia or when another intrinsic sleep disorder is suspected.

Keywords: Alcoholism; Cocaine-related disorders; Marijuana abuse; Opioid-related disorders; Sleep initiation and maintenance disorders; Substance-related disorders.

Published by Elsevier Inc.

Figures

Figure 1.

Management of sleep-related symptoms in a patient with substance use disorder. STOP-BANG questionnaire = a screening questionnaire for obstructive sleep apnea; AIS = Athens Insomnia Scale; CSM questionnaire = Composite Scale of Morningness questionnaire