[MelH89]

Hi. Does anyone have a success story about getting off sleeping pills? I have been on Zopiclone 7.5mg for 9 years a night. For the last two years, I was only taking 3.75 a night. I had a difficult time falling asleep one night two weeks ago. Some nights I have been taking a full pill and a half to sleep with Trazadone. I don’t want to take them anymore. I am finding that I am sleeping about 2.5 hours a night. I go to bed at 10 and fall asleep around 2/3. I’m scared my sleep will never improve and that I will sleep 2 hours a night.

[Jaran]

Hello @MelH89. I think you will find that many people on this forum, and people who suffer from chronic insomnia in general, have a story similar to yours. It sounds like you’re tired of relying on pills, and they aren’t even working that well anymore. The short answer to your question is Yes! It’s very possible to end sleeping pills, even long-term use.

For me, I started CBTI without changing my sleeping pill usage at first. Martin said that CBTI would work either way, and I honestly didn’t believe it was possible for me to sleep without meds. But, as I started experiencing success I found that I had enough confidence to reduce the dose and finally stop altogether. I’ve done CBTI for 2 months. I took sleeping pills ‘most every night for over 14 years.

Under the Resources Menu at the top of this page there is a lot of great information. Some of the podcasts are very inspiring interviews with people who’ve been through Martin’s program, and many of them kicked a long-term sleeping pill habit too.

Also, if you’ve not done Martin’s free 2 week email course, that’s a great place to start.

Wishing you the best!

[MelH89]

Mine do not work, even if I take more. Have you had that? Have you had many nights on 2-3 hours sleep?

[Jaran]

Yes, that happened to me. I found myself taking more and more, even more than the maximum prescribed dose, and they just weren’t working. I think that’s very common with long-term use. What finally convinced me to seek help was 1) Frustration that I couldn’t sleep even with meds and 2) I was taking more and more, to the point that I was scared I might actually have a dangerous event.

One night, in desperation, I thought that I don’t even know how to sleep anymore. I felt totally alone–like no one had insomnia as bad as me or could understand what it’s really like. (How wrong I was!!!) I decided I absolutely had to find help, maybe a sleep clinic or….? I stumbled on a 90 minute round-table discussion on youtube with Martin and two other sleep specialists called “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia: The Deep Dive”. In all these years with insomnia, and all the doctors I’d seen, not once had I heard of CBTi! This video just clicked with me, because I felt like they were telling my story, and there is hope!

I did Martin’s 2 week email course and have spent a lot of time in the last 2 months learning and practicing the CBTI principles. Quitting the meds wasn’t my top priority at first. Learning to sleep was. So I just cut back to a safe dose, then after I started gaining confidence, I started tapering down the dose, then finally quit entirely. It took about 6 weeks.

I won’t tell you that CBTI is easy. But it will work. Some people stop sleeping pills all at once, others like me taper off over time. But many people have found success. You really can do this!

[MelH89]

Were your withdrawal symptoms bad? Did you have thoughts of suicide? I honestly don’t just get overwhelmed sometimes.

[Jaran]

Mel, withdrawal symptoms…. there really weren’t any. Once I got going with CBTi and started experiencing some success, the next logical step was to taper off. The only “withdrawal” from sleeping meds would be psychological, and of course possible insomnia. But I had CBTi in place to help me with that.

I never considered suicide. I did CBTi because it is a safe way to manage insomnia and have a fuller life. I hear you that it’s overwhelming sometimes. Those nights can be long, and the anxiety around insomnia can become pretty heavy. But there really is help. Have you reached out to start Martin’s free course, or even better, Martin’s one-on-one course? Or looked for a counselor or specialist to help you?

[MelH89]

Thank you for your kind words. If you don’t mind me asking, what sleep meds were you on and how much did you take?

[DenVanZZZ]

Thanks for this testimonial. I will be watching the round table to get more education as I start SRT w CBTI tomorrow. I’ve had chronic insomnia for 2 decades using meds largely,now ineffective.
Hope floats!

[Martin Reed]

Hello Mel and welcome to the forum!

As you know from experience, sleeping pills aren’t an effective long-term treatment for chronic insomnia — and that’s because they don’t tackle the thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate sleep disruption. So, it’s not unusual that you’re finding they aren’t doing much for you.

You will find many success stories from people who eliminated sleeping pills and got rid of their insomnia in the Insomnia Coach Podcast.

You are not alone, Mel. There is always hope and it is possible to move past insomnia, regardless of how long you have been living with it and no matter how extreme it feels. Suicide is never the answer and if you ever have suicidal thoughts it’s essential to speak to someone immediately.

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If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

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