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 When most people think about cocaine, they think of the crack epidemic of the 1980’s and 1990’s. However, cocaine is still very popular in the United States- especially among young people. It is oftentimes referred to as a “party drug” because it is a stimulant that causes a burst of energy in those who use it. Few young people understand the true dangers of cocaine because they have become desensitized to the substance. Cocaine use has been popularized in movies and films and portrayed as a fun, harmless drug. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Cocaine is highly addictive and has a negative impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. This article will discuss how cocaine use affects sleep. How does cocaine affect my sleep?People use cocaine to feel awake, alert, and energetic. However, all of these feelings are counterintuitive to getting a good night’s sleep. Studies have shown that cocaine use can have a direct negative impact on the genes that contribute to our circadian rhythm, also known as our biological clock. This is because excess amounts of dopamine in the brain can cause a decrease in melatonin. Melatonin is a naturally-produced chemical that enables sleep. As with many drugs, cocaine users get a “high” because excess amounts of dopamine are released into the brain. So, initially, the rush of dopamine inhibits the production of melatonin, which tricks the body into thinking that it does not need sleep. However, cocaine use doesn’t only impact sleep in the short-term. When the brain is consistently flushed with too much dopamine, it becomes unable to reabsorb this vital chemical. This means that, over time, cocaine use can prevent the body from getting the crucial sleep it needs. Here are the most common sleep-related side effects of cocaine use:
How does this affect the different levels of sleepCocaine use affects nearly every stage of sleep. There are five sleep stages:
Stages 1 and 2 are considered light sleep, stages 3 and 4 are considered deep sleep, and REM sleep is a period of deep and regenerative sleep where the body repairs itself and the brain dreams. Because cocaine keeps the body alert due to excess amounts of dopamine, many cocaine users find it difficult to fall asleep at all, thus inhibiting the first sleep stage. Stages 3 and 4 of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep are crucial. During this period of deep sleep is when the body repairs tissue, strengthens muscles, and enhances its immune system. Those who use cocaine are oftentimes unable to fall into this deep sleep period, which can have detrimental effects because the body is unable to regenerate. Lastly, cocaine users have poor overall sleep quality and suppressed REM sleep. When REM sleep is suppressed, the body is unable to dream and fully complete its sleep cycle for optimal rest. How does cocaine affect my dreaming?Most cocaine users either don’t dream, dream rarely, or have very vague memories of their dreams. This is because cocaine use suppresses REM sleep, which is the sleep stage in which the majority of dreaming occurs. Vivid dreams also solely occur in this sleep stage. How does withdrawal from cocaine affect my sleep?When it comes to cocaine, many experience worse sleep in the first few weeks of sobriety. However, the majority of recovering cocaine addicts report that their worst sleep peeks at two weeks sober, but then improves drastically thereafter. When will my sleep quality start to improve in sobriety?This is specific to each individual. While some who are detoxing from cocaine will experience improved sleep quality after ten days, for some it takes up to three weeks. However, one thing is certain- sleep quality will improve with time. It’s important to be patient with your body when you get sober. You may want to return to a healthy sleeping pattern immediately after quitting cocaine, but it will likely take some time. What are ways I can improve my sleep?If you are currently detoxing from cocaine, it’s likely that you will struggle with your sleep quality for up to a month. While there is no avoiding this withdrawal symptom, there are ways to make it less intense. Here are some helpful tips to improve your sleep quality in sobriety:
Cocaine and sleep don’t have a great relationship. If you are an avid cocaine user and struggle with insomnia and poor sleep quality, your drug use is likely the main reason. Sleep is so important for both our physical and mental wellbeing. Sleep deprivation over a long period of time can lead to increased anxiety, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, paranoia, and even sleep disorders. While quitting cocaine may seem like a daunting task, you are not alone. We at I Am Sober are here to help, as well as your fellow recovering addicts. Take your recovery one step at a time and you are sure to reap the benefits. Other resources:
I Am Sober is an app that helps you get some control back in your life. Volume 2: Stimulants, Club and Dissociative Drugs, Hallucinogens, Steroids, Inhalants and International Aspects https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800212-4.00021-2Get rights and content
Cocaine is known to have an impact on sleeping habits. Specifically, cocaine use is linked to insomnia and a reduced need for sleep.
Cocaine is a stimulant drug that can increase wakefulness. Cocaine use can increase the risk of sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances can continue for weeks or months after ending cocaine use. How Does Cocaine Affect Your Sleep?As a stimulant, cocaine can cause wakefulness. In fact, one of the signs of cocaine abuse is a reduced need for sleep. Sleep deprivation may be severe, especially when someone struggles with a cocaine addiction. Cocaine can impair many aspects of a person’s sleeping habits, including:
Cocaine and Circadian RhythmsHumans have an internal clock that helps them cope with changes in periods of light and darkness. This internal clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the brain’s hypothalamus. The SCN maintains the daily rhythm of body temperature, feeding, hormone secretion and immune function. The SCN uses signals from the environment, such as day length, food availability and temperature, and adapts the circadian rhythm to these changes. Problems in these rhythms can disturb sleep patterns, causing circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Cocaine abuse can negatively affect brain pathways involved in maintaining circadian rhythms, which disrupts sleep and wake patterns. Additionally, some experts think that sleep disruptions may influence drug use by triggering potential relapses. How Cocaine Affects Circadian Rhythm Sleep DisorderAlthough studies have looked at how substance abuse affects sleep patterns, few have directly addressed how drugs like cocaine impact the circadian clock. Like many other substances of abuse, cocaine disrupts sleep patterns. This shows that it may have an impact on circadian rhythms. Further, disturbances in sleep patterns often continue even after cocaine withdrawal. Cocaine may impact circadian rhythms, driving someone to use the drug at certain times. Additionally, cocaine impacts the activity of the SCN by influencing its responses to various cues, such as light, physiological cues and food. This explains the ability of cocaine to disrupt sleep/wake cycles. Can Cocaine Abuse Cause Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder?It is difficult to determine whether cocaine abuse leads to circadian rhythm sleep disorders or vice versa. However, it is known that chronic cocaine users show higher rates of sleep problems like insomnia and hypersomnia. Cocaine and NarcolepsyNarcolepsy is a sleep disorder that makes people very sleepy during the day. People who suffer from narcolepsy may take stimulants, including drugs like cocaine, to stay awake. Provigil (modafinil) is sometimes used to treat cocaine use along with narcolepsy. Because of this, some people may wonder if there is a link between cocaine and narcolepsy. While the same drug can be used to treat both cocaine use and narcolepsy, there is no clear link between cocaine and narcolepsy. Self-Treating Narcolepsy With CocaineFew studies have been conducted on cocaine abuse in people with narcolepsy. However, one study found no difference in cocaine use between people with narcolepsy and without. Provigil as Treatment for Cocaine and NarcolepsyNo cure currently exists for narcolepsy, but it can be treated. Provigil is one type of treatment that is FDA-approvedfor narcolepsy. The drug is a stimulant that works on the central nervous system; doctors are not sure exactly how Provigil works on people with narcolepsy, but they know that its stimulant effects increase alertness. Doctors also know that Provigil can increase the amount of dopamine, the same brain chemical that is increased by drugs like cocaine. However, Provigil does not increase dopamine as much as other stimulants. Although Provigil is not FDA-approved for treating cocaine use, doctors found that Provigil can help some peoplewho struggle with cocaine. Doctors think this is because Provigil can affect levels of the brain chemicals dopamine and glutamate. Although not all studies show that Provigil helps people who use cocaine, other studies found that Provigil has effects like:
Related Topic: Narcolepsy cure Cocaine and InsomniaStimulants like cocaine increase the level of dopamine in the brain. This neurotransmitter promotes alertness and wakefulness, which is why cocaine use can increase the risk of insomnia. Someone who struggles with excessive cocaine use may develop a severe sleeping problem. The Occult Insomnia EffectQuitting cocaine has been linked to a phenomenon called occult insomnia. With this condition, people report that their sleep has improved after ending cocaine use — in reality, sleep tests show it has gotten worse. Typically, it is difficult for people recovering from cocaine to accurately guess how long it takes to fall asleep and how long they spend awake during the night. Reversing the Effects of Cocaine on SleepDoctors are still studying medications that may help to reverse sleep impairment from cocaine. Again, Provigil is considered a promising treatment because it blocks dopamine and may improve deep sleep in some people who struggle with cocaine. Over the long-term, quitting cocaine is the best way to improve your sleep. Although early cocaine withdrawal symptoms can cause a crash that leads to excessive sleep, this is often short-lasting. It can take weeks, months or even longer for the body to reverse cocaine’s damage on sleep cycles. Typically, cocaine will continue to harm sleep for a period after a person quits the drug. While sleep impairment may continue during the early withdrawal phase from cocaine, sleep improves as the person continues cocaine abstinence. For example, some research suggests that total sleep time improves in those who have remained cocaine-free for around two months. Find the Help You or Your Loved One NeedsCocaine abuse can be overwhelming. Cravings and side effects like sleep problems may make you feel like there is no hope. However, help is available at The Recovery Village. If you or a loved one struggles with cocaine, contact a representative today to learn more about treatment plans that can work well for you. We’re here to help you begin the journey toward a healthier, happier, cocaine-free life.
Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD
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The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. |
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