The deterrent to trying to quit alcohol when alcohol dependence is present is the withdrawal syndrome. This is a painful condition when a person cannot function normally: he or she experiences anxiety, headaches, vomiting and vomiting, hands shaking, hallucinations may occur. Also among the withdrawal symptoms, insomnia is common. This is due to the fact that alcohol abuse reduces the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. It is logical to assume that the use of this substance should help normalize sleep. But is it so? We tell you whether you can take melatonin for alcohol withdrawal and how effective it is.
If you have a problem with alcohol and you have decided to fight addiction, then do not self-medicate – it is dangerous. We recommend seeking help at an alcohol rehab where you will be assessed, counseled, and helped to choose the right treatment program for you. New Breath Recovery has all the necessary conditions for this. In our treatment center, special attention is paid not only to the effectiveness of rehabilitation, but also to the level of comfort for patients.
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone responsible for regulating circadian rhythm. 80% of this substance is produced in a part of the brain called the epiphysis. The intensity of synthesis depends on the level of light: the lower it is, the more melatonin is produced. That is why in a healthy person, if the daily regimen is observed, 70% of melatonin is produced at night, and the remaining 30% – during the day.
The main functions of melatonin in the human body are:
- ensuring a normal sleep-wake cycle;
- managing falling asleep and waking up (high and low concentrations in the blood);
- participating in the protection of cells from free radicals as an antioxidant;
- helping the body fight infections;
- regulating the production of other hormones;
- increasing the lumen of blood vessels, helping to lower blood pressure;
- helping to regulate gastric juice production and protect the gastric mucosa.
Melatonin and Alcohol Withdrawal
Prolonged abuse of alcohol and subsequent abrupt withdrawal or reduction in dosage leads to a variety of symptoms. All these body responses are called alcohol withdrawal. They have physical and mental consequences:
- the central nervous system is disinhibited, so there are problems with sleep, hand tremors, convulsions, increased heart rate;
- the gastrointestinal tract suffers: loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain may occur;
- the cardiovascular system is reorganized, the risk of hypertensive crisis increases;
- due to the lack of the usual concentration of alcohol in the blood, anxiety, irritability and aggressiveness increase;
- cognitive abilities decrease: it is difficult for a person to concentrate, think, memorize;
- there is an increased risk of developing delirium tremens (DT), which is manifested by severe agitation, delirium, hallucinations, and disorientation in space.
Alcohol is one of the factors that reduce the normal production of melatonin. Therefore, melatonin for alcohol withdrawal symptoms is a vast topic of research. It seems that its artificial intake into the body helps to cope with insomnia and increased anxiety. But is this really the case?
Research and Scientific Studies
Sleep disturbance during alcohol withdrawal is a serious challenge for the body. Research results from 2020 showed that even a single intake of alcohol leads to changes in circadian rhythms. In alcohol withdrawal, the severity of withdrawal symptoms can be judged by the degree of unsynchronization of these rhythms.
It is well known that a healthy sleep pattern helps to heal faster. Lack of sleep, on the contrary, can lead to the development of serious mental disorders. So why not just prescribe melatonin to the patient to compensate for the lack of it? That’s exactly what scientists did, who tested the effects of melatonin on 60 subjects for four weeks. Half of them received a placebo, the other half – the sleep hormone. At the same time, no significant effect on the alleviation of sleep problems was found.
Similar results were achieved by scientists who tested melatonin on rats. At the same time, the researchers noted that the appointment of the drug allowed insignificant changes in circadian rhythms.
What conclusions can be drawn? The use of melatonin to normalize sleep in withdrawal syndrome is not fully understood. The available research results indicate the ineffectiveness of its intake to combat insomnia.
Benefits of Melatonin for Alcohol Withdrawal
Despite contradictory data on the effectiveness of melatonin in alcohol withdrawal, it is often prescribed as one of the drugs for medical detoxification. The main purpose of use: to improve sleep and reduce anxiety. This is usually achieved as part of a complex therapy.
But there are a few points to consider:
- melatonin is a drug that should be prescribed by a doctor;
- the dosage of the substance should not exceed 1-5 mg, which should be taken before bedtime;
- the duration of use of melatonin should not exceed the period recommended by the doctor.
Taking melatonin is like taking medication. And like any medication, it has side effects:
- general malaise, which manifests itself on physical and mental levels. These can include headaches, nausea, drowsiness, depression, irritability, diarrhea or constipation, loss of consciousness, and more. That’s why you can get behind the wheel no sooner than 5 hours after taking the medication;
- allergic reactions. Allergies can manifest themselves in the most unexpected ways: fainting, rashes and scars, tightness in the throat, skin discoloration, swollen lips, throat, tongue or mouth. These are very dangerous reactions that require an immediate call to 911.
You should also be aware that melatonin interacts with other medications that are often prescribed to treat withdrawal symptoms. These are substances to treat seizures, for blood pressure, anticoagulants and others.
In some cases, its use is contraindicated. This applies to people with autoimmune diseases, depression, epilepsy, dementia, as well as pregnant and nursing mothers.
Alternative Treatments for Alcohol Withdrawal
It’s better to increase the level of melatonin in the body naturally. This approach is much safer than taking the drug artificially.
3 key points that will help make this happen:
- Daily routine. It’s better to go to bed and get up at the same time, even on weekends, so as not to disrupt the natural processes of hormone production.
- Lighting. Before going to bed, you should avoid bright light, especially blue light. It is useful to limit the use of phones, computers and other gadgets an hour or two before bedtime, and in the daytime to spend more time outdoors.
- Proper nutrition. Special emphasis on foods rich in tryptophan (turkey, eggs, nuts and bananas). They help the body produce melatonin, as tryptophan is its precursor. Cherries, walnuts, oats and grapes are also beneficial.
But you can not rely only on melatonin. Its use works only as part of a complex therapy, which should include detoxification, medication and psychotherapy.
Why It’s Better to Undergo Alcohol Detox Under Medical Supervision
Alcohol detox is a difficult journey to freedom from addiction. It is almost impossible to do it alone. Not only can it lead to a quick relapse, but it can also be dangerous to your health.
When a person stops drinking, their body and mind begin to struggle with the effects of the abrupt change. The body, which has become accustomed to alcohol, literally sounds the alarm. Severe anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, palpitations and even seizures appear. In severe cases, hallucinations, sudden spikes in blood pressure and delirium are possible. This is not just discomfort – it is a condition that can be deadly. That’s why going through detox under the supervision of a doctor is not an ordinary recommendation, it’s the only sensible option that can save your health and sometimes your life.
A doctor knows how to mitigate symptoms, how to prevent dangerous complications, and how to make the alcohol detox process as safe as possible. Medication support can reduce the risk of serious consequences such as heart attack or seizures. In addition, under supervision, physicians provide monitoring of the body’s overall health, helping to avoid dehydration and keep vital systems functioning.
Support from medical professionals is more than just medication assisted treatment. It is also the reassurance that an experienced professional is behind every step. It is this confidence that allows a person to focus on their goal without drowning in fears and doubts. Moreover, residential treatment in a specialized environment can be the first step to full recovery, to the beginning of therapy, which not only gets rid of physical addiction, but also helps to deal with its causes.