Last updated: August 15, 2026 · 9 min read "I'll just have one drink and then sleep," we often tell ourselves. This often becomes three or four before bed. You fall asleep fast and assume it was the alcohol. That might be true — alcohol does help you fall asleep faster, but it gives and it takes. Using it as an over-the-counter sleeping aid might leave you up at 3 a.m., unable to fall back asleep quickly, exhausted the next day, and not even feeling rested after 8 hours in bed.