We already know that alcohol makes insomnia worse - but what about the link between alcohol withdrawal and insomnia?
We've already written about a common drug prescribed to recovering alcoholics (trazodone) increasing the chances of relapse - so how can recovering alcoholics improve their sleep without affecting their recovery?
Research suggests that phosphatidyl serine can help when insomnia is caused by elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol (common in recovering alcoholics).
Other natural supplements that can help include L-theanine - an amino acid that's found naturally in green tea. L-theanine increases dopamine and serotonin levels, helping to promote sleep.
Melatonin can also be particularly helpful to recovering alcoholics in the early stages of withdrawal since it helps regulate the circadian rhythm (the sleep/wake cycle that's often disrupted in alcoholics).
Finally, lavender, lemon balm, valerian, passionflower and skull cap can also be beneficial.
Instead of looking for these ingredients separately, you may want to consider a combination supplement such as:
- Serenite-Plus: Contains passion flower, valerian and melatonin all in one capsule.
- PureCalm: Contains passion flower, lemon balm and lavender all in one capsule.
Source: Huffington Post
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Last updated: August 6, 2012
