Understanding Dependence and Addiction: Should You Worry About Sleep Medication?

The risks for nonbenzodiazepines, newer hypnotic medications on the market, are even lower. In a 2003 German review of global medical literature, there were only 36 reports of Ambien abuse, despite the fact that in 2001-2002 alone, more than a billion Ambien tablets were prescribed in Europe, Japan, and the United States.

And the newest sleep medication on the market, Rozerem (ramelteon), is reported to have the lowest risk of all: In clinical trials there was little evidence to suggest the potential for abuse or tolerance, which allows the drug to not be classified as a controlled substance as other sleep medications are.

Psychological dependence
There is the chance, however, that taking sleep medications long-term can mask the real cause of your insomnia—such as poor sleep habits or too much stress in your life. Patients often tell their doctors that they are dependent on their medications: They just can't imagine ever falling asleep without them because they haven't addressed the real issues.

Jo Dickison, 38, takes a constant stream of medications, alternating between Lunesta, Ambien, and over-the-counter sleep aids—and when she doesn't take anything, she can't sleep. "I'm not physically dependent," says the executive assistant in Washington, D.C., "I'm psychologically dependent. They put my mind more at rest. I'd rather have that than be a frazzled basket case."

In these cases, a gradual transition off of sleep medication may be your best option, while cognitive-behavioral therapy helps retrain your brain and body to fall asleep naturally.