Can sleep become addictive? Can a person become dependent on sleeping (more than they otherwise physically need) in a way that fits the definition of addiction, in the same way some psychology professionals may describe a person as being addicted to other standard needs, such as food, work, exercise?

If so, is there a way to determine whether the "need" for more sleep is due to actual physical needs or due to an addictive response?

Have there been any studies on this topic?
Not aware of any studies on this topic.
I think this is a tricky question because of the nature of sleeping.

Hypersomnia does not fit in with physiological nor psychological dependence because of the following (from the proposed DSM-V revision, but similar enough to the DSM-IV-TR) symptom:

"The sleep periods are non-restorative (unrefreshing) or so prolonged in length that this causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning."

Now, sleep would not fit in with the class of substance-related disorders. I cannot see one having impaired control over or compulsive use of sleep. Can one really derive that much pleasure, and thus, a reward response from sleep? Would one have a tendency to keep increasing the dose, to chase "a high"? Abrupt cessation of sleep after excessive "use" may trigger negative feelings but if one were to, say, give the sleep-craving individual stimulant medication, I doubt serious withdrawal effects will take place.

The only proposed behavioral addiction for the DSM-V (at least I think at this point) is Gambling Disorder, or pathological gambling. The proposed criteria are as follows.

A.    Persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior as indicated by five (or more) of the following:


is preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble
needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
gambles as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)
[Not relevant.]
lies to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling
[Not relevant.]


Can a psychological dependence on sleep fit in with the above criteria if one were to mold it to pertain to "pathological" sleeping?

I could not think of analogous "Sleep Addiction" criteria to match that of Gambling Addiction's A-6/A-9 symptom points, but from the above, it appears that a psychological dependence /can/ apply to a dependence on sleep(ing). From this loose argument alone.


Preoccupied with sleep. [Sure.]
Needs get an increasing amount of hours of sleep to achieve the same response. [Eh. I was thinking "resorts to increasing doses of sedatives to achieve longer periods of sleep" but felt that ventured into substance abuse territory.]
Has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop (ha) [excessive] sleep. [Sure, why not.]
Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down on sleep. [Can see this happening.]
Sleeps as a way of avoiding problems or of relieving dysphoric mood. [Most definitely, this symptom reminds me of some subtypes of Major Depressive Disorder. But I digress.]
Lies to family members, others, to conceal the extent of excessive sleep. [Why not.]
Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of excessive sleep. [Can easily see this.]


If I can interject my own opinion on the matter, I just cannot see anyone developing a physical need for sleep. Our basic biological or evolutionary make-up does not allow for that, I feel. But I know little about, say, narcolepsy - but to my knowledge they find their excessive sleepiness unwanted and detrimental. Nor can I see potential for one to become psychologically dependent or addicted to sleep. I just can't see someone deriving pleasure from more and more sleep.