Between work, school, and family, you may feel as if you’re being pulled in a million different directions on a daily basis.
For many, the best part of the day is bedtime; the time of the day when you can finally lay down and catch up on some sleep. But what if getting a full eight hours, or more, isn’t enough? If you’re struggling to stay awake or keep falling asleep at inappropriate or random times of the day, you may be suffering from hypersomnia.
As a drug and alcohol treatment center in Stuart, we know that substance abuse and hypersomnia are heavily connected; those who struggle with hypersomnia often turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with their symptoms.
What Is Hypersomnia?
Opposite from insomnia, hypersomnia is a condition that causes extreme sleepiness and emotional distress. People with hypersomnia often fall asleep at random moments throughout the day or don’t feel rested even after hours of sleep. They also experience frequent sleep disruptions, making it more difficult for them to wake up in the morning or carry out their daily responsibilities.
Types of Hypersomnia
There are two different types of hypersomnia: primary hypersomnia and secondary hypersomnia.
Primary hypersomnia, or idiopathic hypersomnia, is when a person feels tired or sleepy all of the time for no other apparent reason or medical condition. Primary hypersomnia causes aren’t entirely clear, but it’s believed to be caused by problems that occur with the areas of the brain that control sleeping functions.
Secondary hypersomnia is excessive tiredness or sleepiness that is caused by a medical condition. Medical conditions like sleep apnea, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, and substance abuse can lead to hypersomnia.
Some common hypersomnia symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Falling asleep randomly
- Excessive sleepiness
- Inability to concentrate
- Excessive sleeping
- Feeling unrefreshed even after sleeping for long hours
- Low energy
Hypersomnia is a frustrating and disruptive condition that can make daily tasks difficult. Many people with this condition turn to substance abuse to cope with their symptoms. Unfortunately, this can lead to addiction and additional health problems. Those who are struggling with an addiction can get help in one of the levels of addiction care we offer at Banyan Detox Stuart.
How Substance Abuse and Hypersomnia are Connected
Hypersomnia and substance abuse are connected because people with this condition may become desperate to regulate their sleep patterns and turn to drugs or alcohol as an immediate solution. People may abuse alcohol, marijuana, depressants, and other substances that may produce calming or relaxing effects to promote sleep. Unfortunately, relying on these substances to get sleep every night can lead to addiction. The longer the person uses these substances to sleep, the more likely they are to develop a tolerance to them. As the tolerance increases, they will have to use more of the substance at a higher frequency in order to experience the same effects. Without a medically monitored detox to kick off their recovery, a person with a drug or alcohol addiction may struggle to get clean and stay clean.
The aftereffects of substance abuse include hypersomnia and a variety of other conditions. If you or a loved one has a drug or alcohol problem, call us today at 888-280-2360 to learn more about the therapies offered at our Florida rehab facility.
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