Using Melatonin to Ease Alcohol Withdrawal Insomnia
There’s a lot of advice out there about using holistic methods and supplements to get through alcohol withdrawal. While some of this information is unfounded, there are actually many evidence-based techniques for easing withdrawal symptoms. One tip you may have heard about is using melatonin to help with withdrawal insomnia.
How should you view this advice? You may already know that melatonin is generally considered to be safe and well-tolerated. However, this type of supplement is very different from multivitamins and other common additions to your diet. It’s not advisable to take melatonin without speaking with your doctor. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to write this option off for sleep support during withdrawal. Keep reading to learn what research says about taking melatonin for alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
What Is Melatonin?
One of the things that can make people quick to assume that melatonin is always safe to take is that the body naturally produces it. Melatonin is a hormone that the brain produces in response to darkness. It’s known that melatonin plays a vital role in helping to regulate the 24-hour internal clock known as the circadian rhythm.
The melatonin that is created in the body is called endogenous melatonin. Disruptions to our sleep cycle, exposure to light at night, and other lifestyle and health factors can reduce the body’s melatonin production. Exogenous melatonin refers to supplements that are used to try to reset the body’s melatonin balance. Melatonin supplements are available as pills, liquids, patches, capsules, and chewable tablets.
When taken for some specific reasons, melatonin has been proven effective by research. The list of reasons includes circadian rhythm sleep disorders in the blind, delayed sleep-wake phase sleep disorder, insomnia, jet lag, shift-work disorder, and sleep disorders in children. What about taking melatonin for alcohol withdrawal? The answers aren’t quite as clear.
Research on Taking Melatonin for Alcohol Withdrawal
Why do people consider taking melatonin for alcohol withdrawal? According to research, a significant number of alcohol-dependent people in early recovery experience sleep disturbances. This same research highlights the fact that sleep problems area associated with anxiety and depression in early abstinence. Unfortunately, these are disorders that can increase a person’s chance of relapsing.
The truth is that there hasn’t been much research done on the subject of melatonin and alcohol withdrawal. However, a study published in 2020 that looked at melatonin for treatment-seeking alcohol use disorder patients with sleeping problems did reveal some interesting results. According to the findings, 78.6% of study participants were successful in abstaining from alcohol during a four-week trial. Additionally, melatonin was found to be easily tolerated by study participants. While mild, the main adverse side effects reported by participants taking melatonin during the trial were irritability, weakness, and dizziness.
What You Need to Know About Taking Melatonin for Alcohol Withdrawal
Like all medications and supplements, melatonin should be handled with care. The fact that melatonin can be purchased online or over the counter without the need for a prescription can give people a false sense of security about this popular supplement. Unlike common supplements offering dosages of vitamins and minerals, melatonin is actually a hormone. For this reason, physicians often recommend that you avoid taking melatonin for long periods. When a person is suffering long-term and chronic sleep disturbances, the emphasis should instead be on addressing the underlying causes of poor sleep. It’s also important to understand that melatonin can cause negative side effects for some people. Some of the potential side effects associated with taking melatonin include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Daytime drowsiness
- Vivid dreams or nightmares
- Short-term depression
- Irritability
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite
- Urinary incontinence
- Increased risk of falls
- Increased risk of seizures
- Confusion or disorientation
- Mood swings
- Reduced alertness
Because melatonin can cause drowsiness, it’s advised that people avoid driving or operating machinery within five hours of taking it. This is just the start of things to know about taking melatonin. Next, take a look at potential complications that can arise from melatonin use.
Severe Allergic Reaction
Some people have severe allergic reactions in response to melatonin. Symptoms of an allergic reaction require immediate medical attention. Here’s what to look for:
- Swollen lips, mouth, throat, or tongue
- Fast breathing, wheezing, or struggling for air
- Tightness in the throat
- Difficult swallowing
- Skin, lips, or tongue turning blue, gray, or pale
- Dizziness or confusion
- Fainting
- Not waking up after fainting
- Becoming limp or floppy
- Swelling
- Rashes or welts
When taking melatonin during withdrawal, it can be harder to spot symptoms. You may dismiss unusual changes to your body as being part of your uncomfortable withdrawal experience. That’s why knowing these symptoms of a melatonin allergic reaction is so important.
Drug Interactions
Melatonin can interact negatively with a wide variety of prescription drugs. Seizure is the most common side effect of a negative drug interaction with melatonin. You might also experience convulsions, high blood pressure, bleeding, excessive drowsiness, or loss of consciousness. Here are some drugs that should never be mixed with melatonin:
- Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs, herbs, and supplements
- Anticonvulsants
- Blood pressure drugs
- Central nervous system (CNS) depressants
- Diabetes medications
- Contraceptive drugs
- Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) and cytochrome P450 2C19 (CPY2C19) substrates
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Immunosuppressants
- Seizure drugs
While this list of potential medications that can interact with melatonin covers the most common medications, it is far from comprehensive. If you are currently taking any kind of medication, speak with your doctor about your desire to take melatonin. Even small doses can have negative effects. Your doctor may ask to see the label of the melatonin medication you plan to take before giving you approval to verify that it doesn’t contain any other ingredients that could interact with your medications.
Who Shouldn’t Take Melatonin?
While some individuals may get relief from sleep-related alcohol withdrawal symptoms, melatonin is not worth the risk for other people. You should avoid taking melatonin if you have an autoimmune disorder, a seizure disorder, depression, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Some doctors also warn against melatonin use by people with dementia.
Alternatives to Melatonin for People Going Through Alcohol Withdrawal
For people who want to sleep better during the withdrawal process without using medications or supplements, there are some ways to boost your ability to get a restful night of sleep. Good sleep hygiene is important for falling asleep, staying asleep, and enjoying a full REM sleep cycle. Melatonin seems to be effective for many people because it helps to regulate the body’s natural circadian rhythm. This simply means helping the body to be tired at night, wakeful in the mornings, and properly attuned to the 24-hour cycle of a day. Here are some ways to begin practicing better sleep hygiene without supplements:
- Be consistent in your schedule by going to bed at the same time each night.
- Wake up at the same time every morning.
- Maintain the same sleep schedule for weekends and days off that you keep for weekdays.
- Sleep in a quiet, dark room.
- Keep the temperature in your bedroom comfortable.
- Avoid large meals before bedtime.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks before bedtime.
- Avoid watching television and using cellphones and other electronic devices right before bedtime.
- Exercise during the day.
Remember that the brain doesn’t necessarily know the difference between sunlight and light from a screen! One of the worst sleep habits you can keep is to stare at your screen until you fall asleep. Do your best to end exposure to as much artificial light as possible several hours before you go to bed.
Talk to Someone About Your Alcohol Use
If you have questions about using melatonin during alcohol withdrawal, you may be at a point where you’re ready to make some changes in your life regarding your relationship with alcohol. For many people, knowing where to turn for guidance and resources can transform a desire for sobriety into action. The good news is that free and confidential resources exist precisely for this reason.
One resource people around the county are using is AlcoholAwarness.org. We offer a free alcoholism hotline and can refer you to treatment providers and support groups. There’s even a tool to locate alcohol-related resources around the country. You can use AlcoholAwarness.org whether you’re looking for help for yourself or a loved one. By calling our 24/7 Alcohol Abuse Hotline at 885-955-0771, you will be able to connect with experts and healthcare professionals specializing in alcohol use disorder (AUD) and related struggles.
The findings about using melatonin for insomnia during alcohol withdrawal are mixed. It appears that this can actually be a good method for some people who need help regulating their sleep habits. With research showing that insomnia and related depression can elevate risks for relapse, speaking with a care provider about melatonin use may be a good idea for some people. However, caution is advised.
You should never simply begin taking melatonin on your own when you decide to withdraw from alcohol. This is something that should be done under the supervision of a trained and qualified team. If melatonin isn’t a good fit for you based on your medical history, your healthcare team may be able to provide you with an alternative.