The Dangers of Long-Term Sleep Medication

Prescription drugs are a great treatment for a temporary case of insomnia, says David Schulman, MD, director of the Emory Sleep Disorders Laboratory in Atlanta. But when you take them indefinitely, chances are you're ignoring the root of the problem.

You should talk with your doctor about transitioning off sleep medication and looking for the real cause: Whether it's a psychological issue that needs to be treated behaviorally, or a nighttime breathing disorder like obstructive sleep apnea—which requires wearing a special mask to bed—these conditions must be addressed if you want to overcome your sleep problem.