Association Between Addiction Severity and Sleep Quality among Patients with Substance Use Disorders: A Secondary Analysis of a Virtual Reality Intervention Study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the severity of addiction and sleep quality among patients actively receiving substance use disorder treatment.

Study Design: Cross-sectional quasi-experimental study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the National Addiction Rehabilitation Center in Mosul, Iraq from 15th September 2024 to 15th February 2025.

Methods: 60 patients were enrolled. The participants were divided into an intervention group receiving virtual reality relaxation therapy (n = 30) and a control group receiving routine care (n = 30). Assessments were performed using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) to measure addiction levels and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate sleep quality.

Results: The sample demonstrated widespread sleep disruption, with 86.7% of participants reporting poor sleep and an overall mean PSQI score of 12.7±2.5. A significant positive correlation was identified between addiction severity and PSQI scores (r=0.51, p<0.001), indicating that higher addiction severity correlates with poorer sleep. Furthermore, linear regression analysis confirmed that both the severity of addiction (0.47, p<0.001) and the duration of substance use (0.32, p=0.003) were significant predictors of sleep disturbances.

Conclusion: There is a robust association between addiction severity and poor sleep quality in patients with SUD. Integrating targeted sleep management protocols into standard addiction treatment could significantly enhance overall recovery outcomes and reduce the likelihood of relapse.