The Estate News & Blog

Sleep is an essential part of human biology. It helps you revitalize your body and mind over several hours of inactivity. However, sleep issues can be prevalent in those who are recovering from alcohol addiction.

Alcohol’s Effect On An Alcoholic’s Sleep Patterns

Alcohol’s effect on sleep patterns are evident in those who are taking in large amounts of it. The disruptions in the brain’s ability to manage sleep can come from a number of sources. There are a number of reasons why an individual’s sleep quality is negatively affected. These disruptions last several months even after rehab and can be a cause for concern.

Circadian Rhythm Disruption

The circadian rhythm is the internal clock of an individual. It is what dictates when you sleep and how long you sleep for. The circadian rhythm is an essential part of making sure that you have a regular sleep schedule. However, alcohol and other substances disrupt the rhythm by forcing your body to produce chemicals that make you fall asleep quickly. However, these chemicals are shorter lived when compared to the natural release in a non-alcoholic.

REM Sleep Disruption

Another essential part of getting proper evening rest is Rapid Eye Movement or REM sleep for short. REM sleep is the period in sleep that your body gets the best rest. However, alcohol has been shown to consistently disrupt REM sleep and cause an individual to experience a delay in their ability to experience it.

Frequent Trips to The Toilet

Your body over time has grown accustomed to making sure that you don’t need to go to the bathroom during the evening. However, alcoholics will have difficulty managing their bladders under the influence. This is due to the fact that alcohol is a diuretic. Diuretics like alcohol dehydrate your body by forcing liquid out of your body through urine.

Breathing Disruptions and Sleep Apnea

Another cause for concern is that alcohol has an effect on a person’s breathing during sleep. This can cause excessive snoring and even sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous condition where an individual’s breathing is stopped and started during sleep. It can cause an individual to suddenly wake in the middle of the night due to the lack of oxygen. The worst case scenario is that sleep apnea can cause a life threatening heart attack or collapsed airway. 

The Most Effective Solution To Insomnia Caused By Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a difficult condition to overcome especially because of how it impairs judgement and affects your sleep patterns. The first step to proper recovery is always going to be rehabilitation.

Soberman’s Estate has created the ideal combination of medical, clinical, and holistic modalities, including board certified psychiatrists, medical doctors, psychologists, counselors, on-site labyrinth walks, equine therapy, fitness training, yoga, acupuncture, nutrition counseling and Chef prepared meals. Treatment at Soberman’s Estate is discrete and private with 10 beds on 5 acres of pristine Sonoran desert where recovery is adjusted to the needs of the patient.

If you or someone you know is considering treatment for addiction, call us at 480-660-3474 for a professional consultation.

This year marks a significant milestone for Soberman's Estate Men's Residential Treatment Center – our 5-year anniversary. In these five years, we've witnessed incredible transformations, shared countless moments of triumph, and built a community grounded in hope and healing. As we reflect on our journey, we want to celebrate the successes, acknowledge the challenges overcome, and look forward to a future filled with even more opportunities to help men in their recovery and personal growth.

Transitioning back to the workplace after spending time in a residential treatment center can be a journey filled with mixed emotions: hope, anxiety, and determination. It's a significant step in your recovery process, signaling progress and the start of a new chapter. Here are a few tips to guide you through this transition, offering practical advice and supportive strategies to help you reintegrate into your work life smoothly and confidently.

What qualities are required to be a therapy horse? Inspired by our recent addition, Charlie, I thought maybe we’d take a look into what makes a horse suitable for this important role. Born on June 28, 2003, Charlie, a very handsome buckskin quarter horse, quickly proved his natural aptitude for therapy work during his very first session. His journey offers insights into what it takes for a horse to become a partner during the process of therapeutic work.

Drug abuse is a common problem in many households. Over 19 million individuals aged 12 and above experience its effects. These individual’s personality and behavior are severely hampered by their use of illicit substances. However personality and behavioral disorders aren’t the only risks. They are also at higher risk for long term illnesses and diseases that otherwise healthy individuals would not have.

How Drugs Affect The Body’s Long Term Functions

The long term effects of substance use can be seen in many individuals who have taken in drugs for an extended period of time. It is essential to be aware of these effects in order to be able to identify solutions to this problem.

Increased Risk for Brain Damage and Strokes

We’ve previously mentioned how an individual’s personality and behavior are affected by drug use. The primary reason why this happens is because the brain physically changes to adapt to the new substance. This is especially true for substances that affect the release of dopamine in the brain, like cocaine.

Cocaine forces the brain to create more dopamine while also actively destroys brain cells. The destruction of brain cells causes the aforementioned behavioral and psychological problems and increases the risk of strokes and dementia in long term users. Cocaine is known to expedite the production of dopamine in the brain, however, it kills brain cells while doing so.

Major Problems In Other Systems in The Body

Another problem area for individuals who have histories of extended drug use are problems with their various systems. One of the most impacted are the endocrine and urinary systems of the body. These problems are due to the drug's effect on the body’s hormonal balance while also requiring extra effort from both the kidneys and liver to filter the substance out of the body.

The body’s cardiovascular system is also affected to some degree. Specific categories of substances can cause irregular heart spasms during the early stages of drug use. Over time these will develop into more severe congenital heart diseases.

Tolerance and Dependency Effects on The Body

Tolerance and dependency on these substances are common as it rewires the brain of the individual. These dependencies can be an issue for an individual in the long term due to their bodies adapting to the foreign substance. This adaptation of the individual is a way for the body to cope with the substance’s effects. This is how tolerance develops.

Individuals will eventually need more and more of the drug to placate their needs. Suddenly stopping the use of the drug or substance can cause extreme cases of withdrawal which impacts the rest of the body and increases the magnitude of already existing problems.

The Best Solution to Fixing Problems with Extended Drug Use

Soberman’s Estate has created the ideal combination of medical, clinical, and holistic modalities, including board certified psychiatrists, medical doctors, psychologists, counselors, fitness training with NFL coach, on-site labyrinth walks, equine therapy, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, nutrition counseling and from-scratch prepared meals by the Executive Chef . Treatment at Soberman’s Estate is discrete and private with 10 beds on 5 acres of pristine Sonoran desert where recovery is adjusted to the needs of the patient.

Soberman's Estate is a residential men's addiction treatment center that provides discreet, individualized, sophisticated recovery and wellness services for adult men that want to recover from substance use disorders, and or other behavioral issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, or other addictions.  

If you or someone you know is considering treatment for addiction, call us at 480-571-9742 for a professional consultation.

Maybe your husband or loved one is exhibiting questionable behavior related to alcohol, and it doesn't feel right. Know that you are not alone. 12.7% of American adults have an alcohol use disorder, colloquially known as alcoholism. We’re going to talk about signs you’re in a relationship with an addict, as well as strategies to cope and heal. 

As the calendar turns to January, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the past year and setting goals for the year ahead. It's a time of new beginnings, resolutions, and renewed hope. For those struggling with substance use disorder (SUD), the New Year can be a particularly significant time to consider treatment and embark on a journey towards recovery. Here's why January may be the ideal time to start this life-changing process.

As the new year unfolds, many of us set resolutions to improve our health and well-being. Sober January, the practice of abstaining from alcohol for the first month of the year, has become increasingly popular as a way to reset and reflect on our relationship with alcohol. For those in recovery or contemplating a path towards sobriety, staying sober during the month of January can be a particularly meaningful endeavor.

December brings about my favorite time of year. I love all of the festive decorations, the kids and grandchildren visiting, preparing holiday meals, and the smell of something yummy baking in the oven. For most people it is a time of sharing memories, joy, and laughter with one another. However, for those that are trying to overcome addiction or mourning the loss of a loved one, it can be a period of increased loneliness and emotional struggle. The contrast between the festive atmosphere and their personal experiences can intensify feelings of isolation and grief. If we can bring awareness and understanding of how challenging this month can be, maybe we can help others learn to navigate through the season in a supportive and healthy way.

The Holiday Season can be especially challenging for those that are on the journey of recovery from Substance use addiction.