Substance Abuse, Health Problems, and Sleep

Abstract

Many of us are sleep deprived and do not make getting enough restful sleep a priority. Roughly 75% of adults experience sleep problems at least a few nights each week according to the National Sleep Foundation. Overall, at least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders. Sleep problems have a substantial impact, not just on individuals but on the businesses that employ them. On average, 62 percent of working adults who responded to a recent survey (n=3,948) are getting no more than six hours of sleep each night, significantly less than the typical adult nightly requirement of seven to nine hours. The consequences of sleep deprivation are significant: morale and work relationships suffer, while absences, insurance claims, and errors and accidents increase.