Sleep and Substance Use: What’s the Link?

Almost 35% of American teenagers admit to either drinking alcohol, using marijuana and tobacco, or using a combination of the three substances. 

A new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health reports a link between daytime tiredness and alcohol consumption, together with its related harms, in the future. The investigation notes that for every hour of tiredness, the probability of drinking increased by 26%. For every hour of additional sleep, however, the probability decreased by 15%.

Little sleep was also found to be a predictor of marijuana use. These findings chime with previous studies that propose a relationship between the shortage of sleep and future substance use. While a link seems to have been established, it is important to note that the onset of substance use is likely influenced by a multiplicity of factors.

This information can be used, however, to aid parents, health professionals and educators, suggesting that allowing teenagers more time to sleep can decrease the chance of substance use later in life.

Click here to read the full article in the Journal of Adolescent Health.