When Service Takes Its Toll: Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder and Sleep Apnea in Veterans

Detoxing is often seen as the solution to an overworked liver. However, real healing happens in the weeks that follow. You are giving your liver a fresh start. 

Supporting your liver after detox helps maintain the benefits, prevent future stress, and keep your body functioning at its best. 

The right post-detox care allows your liver to repair itself, reduce inflammation, and restore balance in your body. 

Here, we’ll explore practical strategies, like nutrition, hydration, and lifestyle changes, that keep your liver strong long after the cleanse ends.

Table of Contents

• What Is Sleep Apnea?
• Does Alcohol Use Disorder Cause Sleep Apnea?
• The Link Between Alcohol Use Disorder and Sleep Apnea in Veterans
• 4 Factors That Put Veterans at Risk for Sleep Apnea
• The Consequences of Untreated Co-Occurring Conditions
• Treatment Options for Veterans with AUD and Sleep Apnea
• Dove Recovery Wants To Help Veterans Heal: Take the First Step Toward Sobriety and Better Sleep Today

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during the night. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when throat muscles relax too much, blocking the airway. These interruptions can lead to poor sleep quality, persistent fatigue, and health problems like high blood pressure or heart issues. 

Many people may not realize they have sleep apnea, making early recognition and treatment essential for better rest and overall health.

Yes, alcohol use disorder (AUD) increases the risk of sleep apnea. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that higher levels of alcohol consumption increased the risk of sleep apnea by 25%. 

Alcohol acts as a muscle relaxant, including the muscles of the upper airway. This relaxation can lead to airway obstruction, increasing the frequency and severity of apneas during sleep.

Even moderate alcohol consumption before sleep can exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms in individuals with existing sleep apnea, alcohol can worsen the condition by increasing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), a measure of the severity of sleep apnea.

At DOVE Recovery in Columbus, Ohio, we understand the unique challenges veterans face. Our programs are designed to address both alcohol use disorder and sleep apnea, offering comprehensive care that promotes healing and well-being. If you or a loved one is struggling, contact us today to learn how we can support your journey to recovery.

Veterans face a unique set of challenges when it comes to health and well-being. Among these, the co-occurrence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and sleep apnea presents a particularly complex issue, including:

• Physiological interactions: Alcohol relaxes throat muscles, increasing the likelihood of airway collapse and worsening apnea events.
• Impact on sleep and recovery: Poor sleep from apnea can heighten alcohol cravings, making recovery from AUD more difficult and increasing relapse risk.
• Cyclical nature: Sleep deprivation and alcohol use feed into each other, creating a cycle of worsening sleep and increased drinking.
• Veteran prevalence: Studies show veterans experience higher rates of both AUD and sleep apnea, often alongside conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emphasizing the need for specialized care. A 2020 review found that obstructive sleep apnea had a prevalence of 22.2%. Additionally, research from 2024 verified that sleep apnea is common among veterans, with comorbid central sleep apnea appearing more frequently than isolated central sleep apnea. Comorbid conditions like PTSD are often present alongside AUD, further complicating the clinical picture. 

DOVE Recovery in Columbus, Ohio, provides integrated programs addressing both AUD and sleep apnea, helping veterans restore health, sleep, and hope.

#1: PTSD and Anxiety

PTSD and anxiety often disrupt both sleep and emotional regulation. Nightmares, hypervigilance, and intrusive thoughts make rest difficult, while poor sleep heightens anxiety and emotional distress — creating a cycle that can worsen both PTSD symptoms and alcohol use.

#2: Chronic Pain and Medication

Many veterans live with chronic pain from injuries or long-term strain. To cope, some turn to sedatives, painkillers, or alcohol — substances that can relax airway muscles, worsen sleep apnea, and increase dependence risks over time.

#3: Isolation and Reintegration

The emotional challenges of returning to civilian life can leave veterans feeling isolated or disconnected. This turmoil may lead to alcohol use as a coping mechanism, which in turn raises the risk of developing or worsening sleep apnea.

#4: Age and Health

As veterans age, many experience higher rates of obesity, hypertension, and respiratory issues — conditions that increase vulnerability to both alcohol-related complications and sleep apnea. These overlapping health factors make proper diagnosis and treatment especially important.

When a veteran struggles with both alcohol use disorder and sleep apnea, leaving either untreated can have serious and far-reaching effects, that may include: 

• Health risks: Untreated sleep apnea and chronic alcohol use strain the heart and brain, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, liver damage, cognitive decline, and even premature death.
• Emotional toll: Constant fatigue and poor sleep can worsen depression, irritability, and anxiety, straining relationships and eroding overall quality of life.
• Impact on recovery: Sleep deprivation weakens focus, motivation, and emotional stability, making it harder to sustain sobriety. Without adequate rest, the body and mind struggle to heal, slowing progress in addiction treatment.

Recovery is possible — and lasting healing happens when both conditions are treated together. At DOVE Recovery in Columbus, Ohio, we take an integrated, compassionate approach designed to help veterans restore their energy, stability, and hope. By addressing alcohol use disorder and sleep apnea as interconnected challenges, we promote healing of both body and mind through:

• Integrated care approach: Addressing alcohol use disorder and sleep apnea simultaneously leads to better long-term outcomes. Coordinated care ensures that treatment for one condition doesn’t worsen the other, promoting true recovery of both body and mind.
• Medical interventions: Treatments may include CPAP therapy to keep airways open during sleep, along with medication management and monitoring by qualified sleep specialists. These interventions improve oxygen levels, energy, and overall health.
• Therapeutic support: Evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed counseling, and relapse prevention programs help veterans address underlying trauma, manage cravings, and build healthier coping skills. At DOVE Recovery in Columbus, Ohio, our veteran-focused team offers compassionate, individualized care that supports both sleep and sobriety.
• Lifestyle changes: Building better sleep hygiene, reducing alcohol intake, and managing stress through mindfulness, exercise, or relaxation techniques can significantly improve sleep quality and emotional balance.
• Support networks: Healing thrives in community. Veterans’ groups, peer recovery programs, and family education sessions provide encouragement, understanding, and accountability throughout the recovery journey.

At DOVE Recovery in Columbus, Ohio, we understand the unique challenges veterans face when living with alcohol use disorder and sleep apnea. Our caring team provides integrated, veteran-focused treatment that addresses both conditions together — because true healing means restoring both rest and resilience.

Whether you’re struggling with sleepless nights, alcohol use, or the invisible wounds of service, you don’t have to face it alone. Recovery begins with one step. Reach out to DOVE Recovery today to learn how we can help you or your loved one find lasting health, stability, and peace.

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