Addiction is a challenge affecting millions of people worldwide, and there are numerous treatment methods to aid those struggling. One crucial factor often overlooked, but with a significant impact on successful addiction treatment, is sleep. A person's sleep patterns can directly influence their ability to manage and overcome addiction. In this blog article, we will explore the connection between substance addiction and sleep and how a focus on sleep quality can contribute to more effective addiction treatment. We will also discuss how Somnofy, an innovative contactless sleep monitor and digital night guard, can enhance sleep quality and treatment outcomes for individuals in addiction rehabilitation.

Substance Abuse and Sleep Issues: A Vicious Cycle

Many individuals with substance addiction experience sleep problems as a direct consequence of their dependency. Alcohol, for instance, can disrupt sleep by reducing sleep quality and increasing the number of awakenings during the night. Similarly, other substances such as stimulants and narcotics can lead to extended periods of insomnia and decreased sleep quality. These sleep issues can exacerbate addiction by reducing the ability to cope with stress and cravings, thereby increasing the risk of relapse. Those with alcohol addiction and pronounced sleep disturbances also face a significantly higher risk of relapse.

Somnofy: A Groundbreaking Contactless Sleep Monitor

Somnofy is an innovative sleep monitor and digital night guard that collects objective sleep data from the patient without the use of cameras, ensuring privacy. Utilizing sensor technology, it captures all movements and respiratory rates and conducts advanced sleep analysis. From this data, an automatic night report is generated, providing healthcare professionals the opportunity to adjust treatment plans and implement targeted sleep improvement measures based on each patient's specific needs. Staff members also have a real-time dashboard overview of all rooms, providing insights into whether the patient is awake or asleep. This way, supervision can be tailored to the patient's needs without unnecessary disruptions during the night.

The benefits of using Somnofy in addiction treatment include:

• Objective sleep data: Somnofy provides healthcare professionals with a clearer understanding of the patient's sleep patterns, enabling them to tailor the treatment accordingly.
• Monitoring of respiration rate: Somnofy tracks the respiration rate and alerts healthcare professionals if the trend deviates from the norm. A change in respiration rate can be the first sign of a deteriorating health condition.
• Increased user participation: Patients are engaged in evaluating their sleep data, which enhances their involvement in the treatment and motivates them to take responsibility for their own health and sleep.
• Protects privacy: Somnofy does not use a camera or microphone. By utilizing advanced sensor technology, user privacy is preserved.
• Reduced risk of relapse: Improved sleep quality has been shown to decrease the likelihood of relapse in substance addiction, thereby enhancing the long-term success of rehabilitation programs.

Sleep Quality and Addiction Treatment: Why It Matters?

While sleep alone does not cure substance addiction, it plays a crucial role in the treatment process. Lack of quality sleep can exacerbate the user's issues, whereas optimal sleep can enhance treatment outcomes. By embracing technology like Somnofy, we can enhance the support for patients on their path to lasting recovery. Integrating sleep improvement measures into addiction treatment can provide healthcare professionals with an additional tool to improve the quality of life and rehabilitation prospects for those battling substance addiction.

Sources:

Erga, Aleksander H. Psykologspesialist, PhD
https://oslo-universitetssykehus.no/fag-og-forskning/nasjonale-og-regionale-tjenester/tsb/vedvarende-sovnvansker-hos-personer-i-recovery-fra-rus

Holsten, Fred Professor dr. med., Bergen søvnsenter
https://helse-bergen.no/nasjonal-kompetansetjeneste-for-sovnsykdommer-sovno/sovn-og-rusmidler