Childhood Sleep Problems Predispose to Future Substance Abuse

A long-term study now shows that children with sleep problems¹ as young as age 3 are at higher risk for drug and alcohol abuse in their early 20s.

“We found that ‘having trouble sleeping’ in early childhood, ages three to five, predicted a higher probability of ‘having trouble sleeping’ in adolescence, ages 11 to 17, which in turn predicted the presence of drug-related problems in young adulthood ages 18 to 21,” said Maria M. Wong, associate professor in the department of psychology at Idaho State University. “Overtiredness in early childhood predicted lower response inhibition—that is, having problems inhibiting impulses and behavior—in adolescence, which predicted higher numbers of illicit drugs used. Overtiredness in childhood also directly predicted the presence of binge drinking, blackouts, driving after drinking alcohol, and the number of lifetime alcohol problems in young adulthood.”

It is worth pointing out when children are tired it is natural to crave food as a physiologic effort to use food to activate energy production. This is one reason why children short on sleep also tend to be overweight. I believe the inappropriate food cravings associated with overeating are also a major factor in the cravings for alcohol and drugs.

There are many natural options to help children sleep as well as to help them lose weight. Active parenting in the early years can help keep a child on a path that is more resistant to bad choices as a young adult.