Sleep’s pivotal role in the cycle of addiction and relapse
A new perspective article in *Molecular Psychiatry* synthesizes evidence on the critical relationship between sleep and substance use disorders. The piece argues that sleep disturbances are not merely a consequence of addiction but a core regulator of drug-seeking behavior and vulnerability to relapse. It explores the neurobiological mechanisms, suggesting that poor sleep quality disrupts prefrontal cortex function and emotional regulation, thereby weakening inhibitory control and amplifying craving and stress responses. This positions sleep as a key modifiable factor in both the maintenance of addiction and the risk of returning to use after a period of abstinence.
Why it might matter to you: For clinicians managing substance use disorders, this perspective underscores sleep hygiene and targeted sleep interventions as potential components of comprehensive treatment plans. It suggests that improving sleep could enhance the efficacy of existing psychotherapies like CBT and pharmacotherapies by stabilizing the neural circuits involved in self-control and stress resilience. This shifts the view of sleep from a secondary concern to a primary therapeutic target in relapse prevention strategies.
Source →Stay curious. Stay informed — with Science Briefing.
Always double check the original article for accuracy.