Sleeping problems in Chinese illicit drug dependent subjects.

Jinsong Tang,Tieqiao Liu,Zhijuan Feng,Yanhui Liao,Mei Yang,Hangtao Cui,Xiaogang Chen,Bin Jiao,Wei Hao,Chang Qi,Haoyu He,Qijian Deng,Guanbai Zhang

doi:10.1186/s12888-015-0409-x

Abstract

BackgroundIllicit drug use/dependence has been recognized as a major problem. Clinical studies demonstrate that poor sleep quality is associated with increased frequency of drug use and relapse. However, few studies have addressed the issue of sleep quality among illicit drug dependent subjects.MethodsThis cross-sectional study explored sleep quality in drug dependent subjects in China. We studied 2178 illicit drug dependent subjects from drug rehabilitation centres in Changsha and 2236 non-drug-using subjects, all of whom completed the self-report Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).ResultsWe found that the prevalence of sleep disturbance was much higher in drug users (68.5%, PSQI >5; specifically, 80.24% in heroin users, 54.16% in methamphetamine users and 81.98% in ketamine users with PSQI >5) than non-users (26.4%, PSQI >5). Drug users had approximately twice the sleep latency than nondrug users (37.7 minutes V.S 18.4 minutes). Although drug users and non-users reported similar sleep duration (about 7.4 hours), drug users showed poorer subjective sleep quality and habitual sleep efficiency. They reported more sleep disturbance and need for sleep medications, more daytime dysfunction and poorer subjective sleep quality compared with nondrug users. The total PSQI score positively correlated with the duration of drug use (rp = 0.164, p < 0.001). We also found a link between sleep problems and cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and duration of drug use.ConclusionsPoor sleep quality is common among illicit drug dependent subjects. Long-term substance users had more sleep problems. Future research aiming at quantifying the benefits of treatment interventions should not neglect the influence of sleep problems. Gaining more insight into the impact of sleep quality on the addiction treatment could also help to target future intervention measures more effectively.

Highlights

Illicit drug use/dependence has been recognized as a major problem
We found, as hypothesized, that the prevalence of sleep disturbance was much higher in drug users (68.5%, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) >5) than nondrug users (26.4%, PSQI >5), and that those drug users who experienced longer duration of drug use had poorer sleep quality
Drug users and nondrug users reported similar sleep duration, drug users showed poorer subjective sleep quality and habitual sleep efficiency, more sleep disturbance and need for sleep medications, more daytime dysfunction and poorer subjective sleep quality compared with nondrug users

Summary

Introduction

Illicit drug use/dependence has been recognized as a major problem. Clinical studies demonstrate that poor sleep quality is associated with increased frequency of drug use and relapse. Few studies have addressed the issue of sleep quality among illicit drug dependent subjects. Illicit drug abuse and drug addiction have been recognized as major problems such as the increased risk of spreading HIV and other blood-borne viruses, drugrelated criminal activities, drug-related financial problems, family issues, and public healthcare expenditures in our society. Preclinical studies suggest that chronic sleep deprivation had effects on drug-seeking and drugtaking behaviors. It had an effect on the willingness to work for drugs, and greatly enhanced response for cocaine

Methods

Results

Conclusion