Lack of sleep in children can lead to alcohol and drug abuse

CHILDREN whose sleep is disturbed are more likely to develop drug and alcohol problems in later life, according to a new study.

The research found youngsters between the ages of three and five who had difficulty sleeping were more likely to continue to have poor sleeping patterns between the ages of 11 and 17.

This in turn was linked to higher drug use between the ages of 18 and 21, the study found.

Maria Wong, professor of psychology at Idaho State University who led the research, said it could help parents and GPs tackle the problem.

Professor Wong said: "Overtiredness in early childhood predicted lower response inhibition – that is, having problems inhibiting impulses and behaviour – in adolescence, which predicted higher numbers of illicit drugs used."

She added lack of sleep also directly predicted the presence of binge drinking, blackouts, driving after drinking alcohol, and the number of lifetime alcohol problems in young adulthood.

Dr Maria Gardani, a researcher at the Glasgow Sleep Centre, said: "A lot of studies of sleep disorders are conducted in adults, particularly in relation to sleep disturbances caused by stress and hectic lifestyles.

"Research of sleep difficulties in children could shed more light into the development of insomnia in later life and the long-term effects of sleeplessness."

The study involving 389 teenagers will be published in the June 2010 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

Last month research suggested some pupils in Scotland were only sleeping for four hours a night when more than nine was needed.

The charity Sleep Scotland said some young people who attended their clinics complaining of serious sleep syndromes such as attention deficit disorder were actually suffering from lack of sleep.