Research has shown that having even one or two alcoholic drinks in the evening is associated with less restful sleep. While alcohol might assist some individuals in falling asleep more quickly, it can disrupt sleep patterns throughout the night.
A 2022 study that examined a month-long period of alcohol abstinence was reviewed, and it was found that participants frequently reported improvements in their sleep. 56 percent of participants in a UK Dry January study, which included over 4,000 people, said they slept better when they abstained from alcohol.
Alcohol, which is classified as a depressant, is absorbed into the bloodstream and sent to the liver when it passes through the stomach and small intestine. In the liver, enzymes metabolize the alcohol.
This process takes time, and in the interim, the body continues to circulate the excess alcohol. A number of factors, including the amount and timing of alcohol consumption, can affect how long it takes the body to metabolize alcohol sufficiently to minimize potential sleep disturbances.
The precise time frame is still unknown, though, as it varies depending on the person and circumstance. Still, most experts concur that drinking alcohol right before bed can interfere with sleep.
Giving up alcohol can improve your sleep, as per the report. Regular drinkers might want to think about cutting back gradually because stopping suddenly can result in alcohol withdrawal, which can cause insomnia or other sleep-related problems.