Factsheets:

Alcohol and pancreatitis

The symptoms, how alcohol causes the condition and the other health problems it can lead to.

 

Alcohol and men

Facts and figures, and a breakdown of the male health problems associated with heavy drinking.

 

Alcohol and young people

To what extent are teenagers drinking? A look at the associated risks and what drinking alcohol at a young age can lead to in later life.

 

Alcohol poisoning

What is alcohol poisoning? Drinkaware provides information on the causes and symptoms of alcohol poisoning, along with advice on what to do if it occurs

 

Alcohol and women

The daily recommended guidelines, the specific health risks and a look at issues such as safety.

 

Alcohol and diabetes

How drinking alcohol can contribute to the conditions that cause diabetes.

 

Alcohol and cancer

A look at the common forms of cancer and whether drinking alcohol can increase the likelihood of contracting them.

 

Alcohol dependence

The common signs of alcohol addiction, the physical and psychological effects and where to go for help.

 

Alcohol and pregnancy

What are the risks if you drink while pregnant?

 

Alcohol and heart disease

The effects of alcohol on the heart, looking at the risks and also the potential benefits claimed by some researchers.

 

Alcohol and your health

From nausea to STIs, an overview of the effects of drinking.

 

Alcohol, mental health and wellbeing

Alcohol can affect your brain function, your memory and make you depressed.

 

Alcohol and your liver

How much alcohol do you have to drink to harm your liver?

 
 
Track your drinking with our drink diary
Factsheets for under 18s
Ask an expert

The effects of alcohol on sleep?

I often find that if I have been drinking I sleep badly and wake early or wake feeling less rested. Why is this?

Our expert says:

This is a common problem. Though many people associate alcohol with promoting sleep, due to its sedative properties, the effects of alcohol upon chemicals in the brain mean that you are more likely to have a fitful night’s sleep.

When you consume alcohol close to bedtime, it will suppress the first REM (vivid dream) stage of sleep and send you straight into deep sleep which is usually the second stage of the sleep process.

Once the body has metabolised all the alcohol this suppressed REM stage kicks in, normally much earlier than it should. Since you wake much more easily from REM sleep, you can find yourself waking after only 4 or 5 hours of slumber, and you may not be able to get back to sleep.

Also, whilst normal sleep usually involves 6-7 cycles of REM sleep (this enables you to wake feeling refreshed) someone who has been drinking will typically only have 1-2, meaning you wake up feeling as if you had never slept at all.

The best advice when trying to avoid sleep problems, is to remain within the recommended daily guidelines (2-3 units for women, 3-4 for men) and also to try not to drink close to bedtime, to give your body a chance to metabolise the alcohol before you attempt sleep.  

For more information on the effects of alcohol please see our factsheets.

 

read on »