Insomnia after a binge is a condition caused by the exhaustion of the body due to the intake of large doses of alcohol for a long time. It can manifest itself in the form of sleep disturbance or even its complete absence, which is accompanied by hallucinations. To normalize the night’s rest, it is important to take care of the elimination of toxins from the body and the selection of suitable medicines.
Why does insomnia occur after binge
After a binge, many are faced with the problem of insomnia. This condition lasts up to 7-12 days, and the greatest difficulty with sleep, according to reviews, occurs in the first 4 days.
Sleep disturbance is associated with the ingestion of large amounts of ethyl alcohol. This substance, like the products of its decay, becomes the cause of severe intoxication of tissues and internal organs. In addition, alcohol adversely affects the functioning of the central nervous system: due to increased doses of alcohol, the brain is in an overly agitated state. It also extends to areas that are responsible for normal sleep.
Penetrating into the body, ethyl alcohol provokes the onset of degenerative processes in the cerebral cortex. The situation is aggravated by oxygen starvation caused by poisoning, and the subsequent death of neurons.
Important! If you do not stop drinking alcohol in a timely manner and do not take measures to eliminate toxins, irreversible changes in the functioning of the nervous system may occur.
After a person gets out of a long binge, toxins remain in the body, which negatively affect the functioning of internal organs. It also interferes with proper rest.
According to clinical studies, alcohol has a very negative effect on sleep. In the beginning, when a person is just starting to drink alcohol, they relax him and contribute to quick and easy falling asleep. This effect disappears after 3-7 days of continuous alcohol intake.
Ethanol, when used continuously, acts as follows:
- reduces the overall duration of sleep;
- disrupts the continuity of night rest;
- shortens the slow phase of sleep, during which the functions of organs are restored;
- stimulates the appearance of restless legs syndrome, periodic movements of the limbs in a dream, which can shake even after waking up;
- causes anxiety, anxiety, tension;
- contributes to the fact that the dream becomes superficial and very sensitive;
- provokes the appearance of nightmares and hallucinations.
Also in alcoholism, if alcohol is present in the blood during rest, there is a high risk of injury. This is due to the fact that during sleep, against the background of alcohol penetration into the tissues, the functions of the spinal cord are suppressed, which is responsible for muscle tone and reflexes. Under such conditions, a person, rising to his feet after waking up, may fall, losing coordination, and receive serious damage to bones, muscles, ligaments.
Insomnia caused by prolonged intake of alcohol develops faster and is most difficult to treat in elderly and senile people.
The main types of insomnia associated with alcohol intake
There are several types of post-sudden onset sleep disorders:
- Difficulty falling asleep. A drinker cannot fall asleep for a long time, no matter how hard he tries. He is worried about headache and muscle pain, disturbing thoughts arise, shakes from the cold. If you still manage to fall asleep, then, as a rule, this does not last long.
Due to the intermittent night rest, a person feels bad after waking up, is not able to regain strength and lead an active lifestyle. Against this background, persistent headaches and joint aches occur.
- Superficial drowsiness. The person sleeps restlessly, with nightmares. He may fall asleep, but wakes up several times during the night. The condition is characterized by increased sleep sensitivity. Frequent awakenings can be caused by nightmares and the fact that a person is cold, an aggravated reaction to light and sounds, thirst, which usually accompanies a hangover syndrome and is associated with severe dehydration.
- Absolute insomnia. Occurs with constant drunkenness. With this type of disorder, a person either cannot fall asleep at all, or sleeps no longer than 3-5 minutes, waking up due to terrible dreams, he has cold sweat. Hallucinations and panic attacks are common. Absolute insomnia is a sign of a more serious condition – alcoholic delirium, or delirium tremens.
Prolonged sleep disturbances affect not only the physical, but also the mental state of a person. That is why it is important to fight with the involvement of specialists with insomnia that has developed after a binge.
Medication for insomnia after binge
To get rid of persistent insomnia caused by prolonged alcohol use, you should consult a specialist to choose a medicine. Treatment is carried out using several groups of drugs.
- Against headaches, muscle pains – “Aspirin”. It is not recommended to take “Citramon” and “Paracetomol”, as these pills create an additional burden on the liver, which is exposed to a powerful effect of toxins during alcoholism.
- For relief of withdrawal symptoms (withdrawal symptoms) – “Phenibut”, “Mexidol”. They improve cerebral circulation, reduce tension, anxiety and fears, thereby having a positive effect on sleep.
- For intoxication of the body – the drug “Zorex” and ordinary activated carbon. Charcoal tablets are quite effective, but they should not be taken in more quantities than is required. The dosage is determined based on the ratio of 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. Excessive dosage can cause diarrhea and dehydration.
- With tremors, alcoholic tremors, when the patient’s hands are shaking, – “Propranolol”, “Anaprilin”, “Primidon”.
- To improve sleep – sedatives and sedatives: “Afobazol”, valerian, “Novopassit”, “Glycine”, “Motherwort Forte”. You can take them in small doses, before bedtime, but the effect will not be noticeable until after a few days.
Corvalol and Validol: is it possible or not?
The over-the-counter, readily available drugs Corvalol and Validol are often used to combat insomnia. Many advise taking them for sleep disorders due to binge, but you need to keep in mind that their use in parallel with alcohol intake and with a hangover is completely unacceptable.
In the composition of “Corvalol” there is a substance that is not compatible with ethanol, since it enhances its toxic effect. The combination of this drug with alcohol can cause liver damage and disruption of the brain, coma.
As for “Validol”, it is forbidden to use it immediately after taking alcohol and in the first days after a binge. Their combination adversely affects the state of the heart and blood vessels. An exacerbation of existing diseases and even death may occur due to an increased load on the heart muscle.
Calling a narcologist
Long-term alcohol consumption and associated insomnia can cause serious mental health problems. If a person has severe sleep disorders and a sharp deterioration in well-being, pupillary constriction, convulsions, speech and coordination disorders, it is recommended to call a narcologist at home. He can help stabilize the alcoholic’s condition.
The specialist puts in a dropper that cleans the body of the toxic decay products of ethyl alcohol. The composition of the drug that is administered to the patient may include:
- glucose solution, sodium chloride;
- substances that help cleanse the blood;
- sedatives and hypnotics;
- drugs to relieve withdrawal symptoms and relieve seizures;
- vitamins to stimulate metabolic processes.
This manipulation allows you to remove the symptoms of alcohol intoxication. There is an improvement in general well-being, sleep improves, anxiety, hallucinations disappear. Also, the narcologist draws up an individual scheme for stabilizing a person’s condition, gives recommendations for correcting the daily regimen. If necessary, the patient is prescribed injections for violations of the functions of internal organs.
Folk remedies for insomnia after binge
The consequences of long-term alcohol intake and the insomnia caused by this can be fought with the help of folk methods.
The following means will help to overcome the consequences of hard drinking:
- Hop-based decoction. You need to take dry raw materials in the amount of 2-3 tablespoons, pour 200 ml of boiled water. Leave the infusion for 10-15 minutes under the lid, then strain, add a tablespoon of natural honey, mix. Take the broth before meals three times a day.
- Infusion of mint, lemon balm and motherwort. This recipe helps calm an agitated nervous system. In addition, the herbal decoction is a good sleeping pill. To prepare it, you need to take raw materials in equal proportions, grind. Then pour 3 tablespoons of the vegetable mixture with a liter of boiled water, bring to a boil, leave covered for 30 minutes. Take the broth every 3 hours, 50-100 ml at a time.
- Pumpkin drink. For cooking, take a glass of peeled and finely chopped pumpkin, pour a liter of water and boil for 15 minutes. Then rub the pumpkin mass to get juice with pulp, add a teaspoon of honey. Take 200 ml twice a day.
- A decoction of the roots of the evading peony. It will also help to overcome the effects of binge and insomnia. Take a teaspoon of raw materials, pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes. Drink without added honey or sugar.
It is possible to treat an alcoholic suffering from post-breakdown insomnia at home only if his condition is not too severe.
It is recommended to drink as much liquid as possible: this will help to quickly remove toxic substances from the body. A little natural honey can be added to teas, herbal infusions.
There is such an interesting way to improve sleep after a binge, as unfolding chestnuts on the patient’s bed. They should also be hung from the ceiling above the bed.
How to help yourself at home
The following measures will help to overcome the symptoms of intoxication and dysfunctions of the nervous system:
- Drinking as much liquid as possible. This is not only pure water, but also various sour compotes, fruit drinks, weak teas. It is better to refuse coffee. You should not neglect fermented milk drinks – natural yogurt, fermented baked milk, kefir.
- Cleansing the body with enemas. Decoctions of medicinal plants can be added to the liquid. Enemas stimulate the digestion process, help cleanse the body of toxins. Improving the functions of internal organs helps to normalize sleep.
- Taking drugs “Smecta” or “Almagel”, which can get rid of severe pain in the stomach.
- Cold and hot shower. The alternation of temperature regimes tones up the body and trains the vessels, contributing to their strengthening and better blood flow through them.
- Staying in the fresh air, playing sports without overstraining. This will create a state of mild fatigue and help to improve sleep without taking sleeping pills.
- Going to the bathhouse or sauna. It is not recommended to do this in the first days after getting out of the binge. You can visit the bathhouse only if there are no problems with the work of the heart and blood vessels. This is a well-known folk method that helps to remove the remnants of toxins and alcohol and tone the body.
After a binge, you should definitely eat, even if you don’t feel like it. The food should be light, vegetables, fruits, low-fat chicken broth are suitable.
Withdrawal symptoms after a long drinking period are manifested by numerous symptoms that worsen a person’s quality of life. Insomnia is one of these manifestations. It can be cured with the help of medicines and folk recipes. You can take medications only after consulting a doctor, since they can aggravate a person’s condition, and in some cases, cause death due to an increased load on the heart and blood vessels, and the liver.