Insomnia and addiction

Generally speaking, insomnia comes in two main forms with different root causes and presentations:

1. Primary insomnia

This is when sleep issues happen on their own with no other health conditions involved.

2. Secondary insomnia

Sometimes called comorbid insomnia, this form is tied to something else, like an addiction, illness or a condition like anxiety or depression.

Both of these can show up in different ways:

• Transient insomnia lasts just a few days, often caused by stress or changes in routine. This is very common and most people experience it at some point or other in their lives.
• Acute insomnia stretches on for a few weeks, disrupting your rest and energy.

Chronic insomnia sticks around for a month or more, becoming a regular obstacle in your life.

Insomnia can be caused by all kinds of things. Stress is a big trigger, with worries about work, school or your personal life keeping your mind racing when you should be winding down. Changes in your routine, like travelling or working odd hours, can also throw off your sleep.

For some, insomnia is tied to health problems like chronic pain or conditions such as anxiety or depression. Even the medications you take or habits like drinking too much caffeine or alcohol can play a role. Often, it is a mixture of factors working together, making it important to understand what is behind your sleepless nights to overcome insomnia successfully.

Many people battling addiction also find themselves stuck in a pattern of restless nights. Quite often, there is a dual diagnosis at play, which means the person has an addiction and a mental health condition at the same time.

There are various reasons why insomnia and addiction are so often found together, including:

There is a whole range of co-occurring insomnia and addiction combinations which can be incredibly hard to live with. Some of the most common that we see at Liberty House include:

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Addiction and insomnia are deeply connected and this can make rehab treatment even more difficult than it already is. However, Liberty House’s rehab programme can have a significant positive effect on insomnia symptoms while you are working through addiction.

Our programmes include different forms of therapy for insomnia and addiction, which include:

• Group therapy sessions
• Individual therapy (generally not available on the NHS)
• A range of holistic complementary therapies like yoga, meditation, sound and art therapy
• Behavioural therapies including DBT and CBT
• Medical detox for substance addictions
• Family support programme
• Aftercare planning

With this extensive range, you are certain to find approaches which speak to you. Just remember that the more you put into insomnia and addiction treatment, the more you will get out of it!

You have spent enough sleepless nights battling insomnia and addiction, but it’s time to get some well-earned rest. At Liberty House, we will help you put addiction to bed and find relief from gnawing insomnia symptoms. Contact us today, and let’s get started!