I have not been a good sleeper for many years, both with not being able to go to sleep and/or waking up and not being able to go back to sleep. So, years ago I started taking melatonin before bed and it did help somewhat. Then just over three years ago, when my DH passed away unexpectedly, I knew I would need something stronger to be able to sleep. I googled what was the strongest OTC sleep aid and found Kirkland Signature. I started taking that. Then when at my nurse practitioner's for another matter, (somewhere in that same time frame of being newly widowed), I asked about a prescription for Ambien. She gave me one and I took it very cautiously, only 1/2 of one when I felt I really needed it. So maybe I was taking 1/2 of an Ambien a couple of times a week and filling in with the OTC sleep aid on other nights. Now, a few weeks ago I had to take what was (to me) a fairly heavy dose of antibiotics at one time for an infection. When it came time for bed that night I thought "I don't want to put another pill into my body!". So, I went to bed ..... and to sleep! How surprised and elated I was to be able to have a night's sleep without any kind of sleep aid. So, I tried it the next night, and the next and here I am still sleeping drug free!
I am retired and don't have to get up at a certain time most days, but if I have a night where I know I have to be up early the next day and want to insure a good night's sleep I do take my 1/2 of an Ambien. I'm sure it is physiological, that thinking that I have to get up in the morning, so I have to fall asleep quickly and round and round it goes till I end up laying awake a long time. I love that I do still have a sleep aid to fall back on when it is one of those nights, but for the most part I am not having to rely on something to help me sleep. It is a wonderful feeling.