The amount of time that someone will need to use a sleeping pill will vary from person to person. The main factor for how long someone would use a pill will be their particular condition. Some conditions such as jet lag will only require shorter-term usage of sleeping pills whereas other conditions, such as insomnia, may require longer-term usage. Generally, sleeping pills are meant to be used for shorter periods of time, typically between a week and 10 days. Longer-term use of sleeping pills can be risky as it can lead to dependence or tolerance to the medication.