For the purposes of this article, a case study was conducted on a patient recovering from alcoholism and other drug addictions. The patient was interviewed using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to assess sleep quality. PSQI responses and a score of 16 on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale indicate that this patient experienced sleep disturbances, particularly sleep latency. Sleep disorders are a common complaint among patients recovering from alcoholism. People with substance use disorders or alcoholism typically have sleep problems. Sleep can be defined as a natural state of the body and mind, characterized by decreased consciousness, reduced interest in the surrounding environment, and inhibition of sensory activity, as well as inhibition of the body's voluntary muscles. Therefore, sleep disorders involve difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep. Substance use or alcoholism can exacerbate sleep disorders, which in turn can be a risk factor for further alcoholism. The types of sleep disorders among alcoholic patients vary and may include total insomnia, sleep cycle disturbances, sleep latency, hypersomnia, and sleep continuity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Numerous studies have revealed that sleep disorders can affect alcoholic patients' ability to function in both social and occupational settings. For example, sleep disorders deprive an individual of better sleep and the ability to initiate and maintain sleep. Patients become habitual pill users to the point that they easily become dependent on medications or other forms of sleep medications. This can lead to serious health consequences, including psychological and physical dependence. A recovering alcoholic has difficulty experiencing normal sleep patterns, which can affect their recovery plan and sometimes cause them to relapse. Evidently, alcohol helps trigger the onset of sleep, but it affects the quality and duration of sleep. According to Halter (2018), although alcohol has sleep-inducing effects, it decreases deep sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, awakens the user, and makes it difficult to return to sleep. Overall the quality of sleep is disturbed. Halter (2018), further adds that sleep disorders can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Psychomotor disorders due to sleep loss increase the risk of errors. Errors pose a safety hazard to both the patient and others, especially when working with vehicles or operating machinery. Sleep deprivation makes a person very irritable, short-tempered, and emotionally unstable, making them unwelcome company in social settings. Many people with a history of alcohol use usually suffer from insomnia and sleep disturbances. For individuals in recovery, sleep disturbances could hinder their recovery efforts. One study revealed that 69.3% of patients in early recovery from alcohol had sleep disturbances, and 49.1% still had sleep disturbances even after the first month of abstinence. According to Halter 2018, “insomnia occurs in most patients in alcohol recovery and can persist for months or even years, thus increasing the risk of relapse to alcohol abuse.” Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The patient in this study was taking Divalproex 500 mg daily.