When Sleep Becomes a Warning Sign

A judge once called OLAP and said to me, “I don’t think I have a drinking problem. I just can’t sleep.”

He explained that his mind would not turn off at night. After court adjourned, he would head home, have dinner, and try to settle in. But once the house was quiet, he began replaying the difficult sentencings, custody disputes, and motions that needed review. He said it was nothing dramatic, just the steady hum of responsibility.

He found that a drink before bed helped, because it softened the edges of the day and it helped him fall asleep.

He didn’t think this was an issue since he wasn’t missing court, and he wasn’t impaired on the bench. He was respected and prepared. From the outside, nothing seemed off.

But over time, one drink became two and then more. Then he noticed that on nights he skipped it, sleep felt almost impossible. He began structuring his evenings around that routine. That’s when he paused and wondered whether what started as a sleep solution had quietly become something else.

The Realities of Being a Judge

Serving on the bench requires focus, discipline, and steady judgment. Judges manage full dockets, apply the law carefully, and maintain order in the courtroom. Most do this exceptionally well.

Like any demanding profession, however, work does not always end when the building empties. It is common to reflect on a case later in the evening or think through an issue before the next day. Taking the role seriously often means carrying it with you a bit.

When sleep becomes difficult, it is natural to look for relief. A routine that feels harmless, such as having a drink or taking sleeping medication, can slowly become more central than intended.

This shift is usually gradual. It does not mean someone is failing at their job. In fact, many judges continue to perform at a high level while quietly noticing that a coping habit feels less optional than it once did.

The Shift Is Often Subtle

Substance-related concerns among judges rarely begin with disruption. They begin with small adjustments, such as a drink to unwind, medication to manage restlessness, or a nightly routine that becomes automatic.

Because judges are accustomed to high functioning, early warning signs are often internal rather than visible to others. They continue to run the court smoothly, issue opinions and manage calendars.

The signs may sound more like this:

• “I just need this to sleep.”

  
  

• “It’s not a big deal.”

  
  

• “It’s only in the evenings.”

  
  

• “It’s not affecting my work.”

And initially, that may be true.

When Sleep Starts to Change

Sleep is often where stress shows up first. The brain, finally free from the structure of the day, begins processing unresolved thoughts. For judges, that may include replaying testimony, reviewing reasoning, or anticipating future decisions.

When sleep becomes inconsistent, frustration builds. Fatigue affects focus and patience. The temptation to find a quick solution increases.

Alcohol and certain medications can create the appearance of sleep. They may shorten the time it takes to fall asleep, but, over time, tolerance increases. What once worked lightly requires more. Nights without it feel harder.

Sleep is not the only place this can show up. Some judges notice reliance creeping in after stressful days, tense hearings, or lingering frustration. The key is not the situation itself, but whether the substance feels optional or necessary.

The issue is not whether someone occasionally uses a coping tool. The issue is whether the tool has quietly become the only way to rest.

Quiet Questions to Ask Yourself

You do not need a crisis to reflect. Consider:

• Has my sleep routine changed significantly over the past year?

  
  

• Do I feel uneasy about skipping what I rely on?

  
  

• Has the quantity increased to achieve the same effect?

  
  

• Would I describe my current habits the same way I would have five years ago?

These questions are not accusations. They are checkpoints.

Judges are trained to assess information carefully. Applying that same lens inward is a form of professional responsibility.

The Role of Shame

One of the reasons judges hesitate to address sleep-related substance use is concern about perception. The bench carries public trust. The idea of struggling privately can feel uncomfortable.

It is important to say this clearly: needing support does not diminish credibility. Substance use disorder is a health condition shaped by stress, habit formation and brain chemistry. High-functioning professionals are not immune.

Addressing a concern early protects both health and clarity.

How to Take Action

Taking action does not mean dramatic disclosure or professional consequences. Often it begins quietly:

• A confidential phone call to OLAP or the Judicial Advisory Group

  
  

• Exploring stress-reduction approaches and sleep strategies that do not rely on substances

  
  

• Meeting with a counselor or physician

  
  

• Attending a support group privately

Many judges who reach out discover that the situation is manageable once acknowledged. Sleep improves when underlying stress is addressed rather than masked.

Strength Includes Self-Awareness

Judges regularly weigh evidence and adjust course when new information arises. Noticing that something feels different — that a routine feels necessary rather than optional — is simply new information.

Responding to that information reflects judgment and responsibility.

Sleep challenges are common. Quiet dependence is also more common than many realize, and neither of these define you.

You Do Not Have to Navigate It Alone

If something that began as a sleep solution has started to feel central to your ability to function, that is worth exploring. Early reflection and small adjustments can prevent larger concerns later.

Through conversations with members of OLAP’s Judicial Advisory Group (JAG), one theme continues to surface: judges benefit from having confidential, trusted spaces to talk honestly about stress, sleep and coping. The expectation of steady professionalism does not eliminate the need for support. In fact, it makes it more important.

OLAP and JAG exist to provide that support. Conversations are confidential. The purpose is practical guidance and connection, not judgment.

Sometimes the most responsible step is simply asking the question early, before the answer becomes more complicated.

Contact OLAP/JAG at ohiolap.org, 800-348-4343.