Alcohol for sleep is not a good thing

Does alcohol make you sleepy?

Yes. Alcohol makes you sleepy. Alcohol works on your brain to make you sleepy.

So why shouldn’t I use alcohol for sleeping?

Alcohol initially works on your brain to make you sleepy. But the sleep quality is bad. After a few hours of sleep, you might wake up. You might stay awake. You might not be able to sleep.

Ok so what’s the problem? I can sleep better the next day

After a bad night sleep, you might be sleepy next day. You might try to drink coffee or energy drink. Caffeine in these drinks can make you wound up. You might not be able to sleep again. You might again try to drink alcohol to sleep. This become a vicious cycle.

What is the long-term risk?

There is a risk of alcohol addiction. Some people get into habit of drinking every night. They fall asleep. But then they wake up and can’t fall asleep again. So they feel sleepy in daytime. Then they end up drinking too much coffee. And then they can’t sleep in night. They can get hooked to alcohol.

When you have sleep problems, you have risk of depression and mental problems.

What is the solution?

Have you figured out what is causing your sleep problems? Are you working till late? Are you eating late? Are you watching TV till late? Are you going to gym till late? These might be causing sleep problems.

Read what Sleep Foundation says about using alcohol for sleep

Another great article about use of alcohol and sleep by Drinkaware UK