This study is interesting, but the next study needs to be on how to repair damage that has been done to the nervous system by excess drinking.

Alcoholics already have severe damage that has been done to their bodies.  Without sleep, this damage will be harder to heal.

Nutrition and general healthy habits are an obvious solution but further research could possibly increase the life span of individuals.

“People in recovery from alcohol addictions can suffer sleep disruptions for months or years after they stop drinking, Reuters reported Oct. 2.

Researchers at SRI International monitored the brain activity during sleep of a group of 42 people in recovery and compared the results to brain scans of nondrinkers. They found that men and women in recovery spent significantly less time in light, stage-one sleep and slow-wave sleep — the latter essential for memory — and somewhat more time in REM sleep, when dreaming normally occurs”

http://www.jointogether.org/news/research/summaries/2009/sleeping-problems-linger-for.html