Trouble sleeping? Treating insomnia with drugs can cause serious problems down the road, including impaired functioning, and dependency. Furthermore, after the drug treatment has been discontinued, the problem can worsen. Behavioral interventions for chronic insomnia can be very effective, and benefits may be greater than pharmacologic treatments, because they can persist for a longer period of time (Irsin, Cole, & Nicassio, 2006; Morin, et al., 1999).
You can read a report of the results of Iwin, Cole, and Nicassio’s scientific, statistically-driven review (meta-analysis) of the literature regarding treatments for the elderly here. The bottom line is that there are good alternatives to pharmacotherapy when treating problems in sleeping. Too bad that so many of us seek to solve both psychological and physiological difficulties with a pill, when a little homework and intelligent effort could lead to more healthy and effective long-term solutions. The impact on drug company bank accounts is another matter…
References
Irwin, M., Cole, J.C., & Nicassio, P.M. (2006). Comparative meta-analysis of behavioral interventions for insomnia and their efficacy in adults and in older adults 55 + years. Health Psychology, 25, 3-14.
Morin, C. M., Hauri, P. J., Espie, C. A., Spielman, A. J., Buysse, D. J., & Bootzin, R. R. (1999). Nonpharmocologic treatment of chronic insomina. Sleep, 22, 1-23. [READ THE ARTICLE!!]