The other problem is tolerance, which means the drug slowly stops working, even when higher doses are taken. The dual problems of addiction and tolerance cause physicians to be extremely cautious when prescribing sleep medications. Elderly people slowly metabolize sedative drugs, meaning that clearance from their body can take too long, and they experience fatigue the next day. It should also be noted that benzodiazepine drugs frequently used to induce a sedative effect can impair mental function. Having said all of the above, we want to make the argument that for the chronic insomniac who cannot find relief by safer natural therapies, long-term, prescription drug therapy should be considered.
Insomnia induces a state of depression, lost productivity, and a shortened life span.
One study showed that elderly people who suffered from chronic insomnia where more likely to die sooner than if they were cigarette smokers. Depression can cause insomnia and insomnia can exacerbate the miseries of chronic depression, chronic pain, and aging. One reason the Foundation suggests this is that within the next 10 years, there is a chance that a drug could be developed that safely helps people to sleep without any side effects or tolerance problems. There is also the quality of life issue. If the judicious use of prescription sleeping pills buys the chronic insomniac 5 to 10 years of good sleep, it is worthwhile.