Preventing Nightmare Disorder During Recovery

Nightmare Disorder is a type of sleep disorder characterized by frequent nightmares that cause distress and disrupt sleep patterns. People suffering from this illness have difficulty falling asleep because they are afraid of doing so. Nightmare Disorder is not just a nasty dream here and there but a regularly occurring pattern of dreams that make it difficult to sleep.

It is theorized that there is a direct link between Nightmare Disorder and substance misuse. However, doctors are still trying to identify and define that link. While it is unclear what this relationship is or how it develops, it is clear that some people with addiction problems (including those in recovery) are more prone to the condition. Understanding the connection between Nightmare Disorder and drug usage can help patients find relief from their symptoms, and treatment providers give more effective therapies.

The Effects of Drugs on Nightmare Disorders

Any chemical a person ingests might affect their sleep and dreams. Some chemicals can enhance the quantity and quality of sleep, while others have the opposite effect.

Nightmare Disorder may occur due to the regular ingestion of particular chemicals or due to withdrawal. Indeed, studies have clearly shown an increased likelihood of this sleep disorder in people who suffer from different addictions to substances, including illicit and prescription drugs.

Nightmare-Inducing Prescription Drugs

Some prescription drugs used to treat an ailment may increase the frequency or intensity of nightmares. Prescription medicines that have been linked to nightmares include:

• Antidepressants – Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, and Viibryd are well-known anti-depression medicines that cause nightmares.

• Antihistamines – Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, Alegra, and Unisom are over-the-counter drugs that can cause vivid dreams and nightmares.

• Medications for high blood pressure – Beta-blocker drugs control blood pressure but can also alter how the body responds to certain brain chemicals, resulting in nightmares. Propranolol, Metoprolol, Atenolol, and Labetalol are blood pressure medications that may cause nightmares.

• Steroids – Prednisone and methylprednisolone might alter the brain’s reaction to serotonin, a neurotransmitter connected to sleep.

• Medications for high cholesterol – Research has shown the potential of cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as Zocor, Pravachol, and Lipitor, to trigger nightmares and night terrors.

• Medications for Parkinson’s disease – Amantadine, a medicine administered to persons with Parkinson’s disease, can cause vivid dreams with sexual content.

Other Drugs Linked To Nightmares

Some legal and illegal substances can cause nightmares, but only after the chemical has left the body. When a person becomes physically dependent on a drug, stopping drugs and the subsequent withdrawal can cause sleep issues, including disturbing and vivid nightmares. Among the drugs that might cause nightmares during withdrawal are:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Stimulants, including cocaine and methamphetamine

These drugs may cause new nightmares or exacerbate an existing nightmare condition.

What Should You Do If You’ve Been Prescribed Medication That Causes Nightmares?

Side effects from medicines do not occur in every person, and if they do occur, they may differ from person to person. If you are taking prescribed medicine that can induce nightmares, your doctor may have determined that the potential benefits exceed the risks of side effects. If you have any concerns or questions concerning the drugs you may be taking and their potential to trigger nightmares, consult your doctor.

Nightmare Disorder and Addiction Statistics

Though minimal evidence ties addiction to Nightmare Disorder, there is substantial evidence relating various sleep difficulties to substance misuse. According to research:

• Approximately 4% of adults residing in America experience nightmare disorders.

• Up to 72% of patients in treatment for an alcohol use disorder reported sleep problems.

• Sleep disorders may persist for three years after medication usage is discontinued.

Can Nightmare Disorders Cause Substance Abuse?

It is simple to see how Nightmare Disorder may lead to drug misuse. People who anticipate having frightening nightmares while sleeping may be inclined to go to extraordinary lengths to sleep without nightmares or avoid sleep altogether.

Someone suffering from Nightmare Disorder may believe staying awake for extended periods can lessen their chances of having nightmares, and they may use stimulants to postpone sleep. However, this technique nearly always fails and may have the opposite effect than what is intended.

Using stimulants to stay awake and avoid nightmares may work in the short term. Still, if you use the stimulants for a longer length of time and then stop using them, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, and one is the occurrence of nightmares.

Adult Treatments for Nightmares

For those who suffer from Nightmare Disorder, there are actions you and your doctor may take to reduce the frequency and impact of nightmares on your life. To begin with, if a particular drug causes your dreams, you may be able to adjust your dosage or prescription to avoid this unwelcome side effect.

Another way to treat Nightmare Disorder is by engaging in behavioral modification. Studies have shown that 70% of individuals who suffer from nightmares, including those induced by anxiety, sadness, and PTSD, have found that behavioral modifications are helpful.

It is critical to have a consistent wake-sleep routine. Regular exercise is also beneficial in reducing nightmare-inducing worry and stress, as are yoga and meditation.

Key Takeaway

Nightmares and drug use disorders are both troublesome, and when they co-occur in one person, that person will require thorough therapy that treats both problems simultaneously.

Some drugs, such as antidepressants and beta blockers, have been linked to nightmares and vivid dreams. If you want to reduce the effects of drugs on your dreams, remember to maintain a proper sleep schedule and avoid sleep loss. Also, avoid using alcohol, coffee, and nicotine, which can stay in your system for more than 12 hours and frequently affect sleep patterns.

To lessen the prevalence of nightmares, try to make your bedroom a calm, tranquil space dedicated to sleep and rest. Also, avoid using alcohol, coffee, and nicotine, which can stay in your system for more than 12 hours and frequently affect sleep patterns.

Haven House Recovery can help you protect your dreams during recovery.

If you or a loved one is abusing alcohol or other drugs and experiencing frequent nightmares, it is time to contact Haven House Recovery. When you contact us, our representative will provide information and help with treatment choices for Nightmare Disorder and ways of stopping drugs.

Our tailored treatment plan for addiction recovery in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, can help you battle addiction and handle withdrawal symptoms and associated disorders. Contact us now to start quitting drugs and propel your life towards long-term recovery and complete rehabilitation.