Adherence
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia significantly reduces hypnotic drug use and improves sleep quality in long-term users, with effects sustained for at least 12 months.
If you have been using sleeping pills for a long time, consider asking your doctor for a referral to a CBT for insomnia program. This therapy, often delivered by primary care counsellors, involves about six weekly sessions focusing on sleep habits and thoughts about sleep. It has been shown to help many people reduce or stop their medication while improving their sleep quality, with benefits lasting at least a year. Age is not a barrier to success.
CBT-treated patients also reported reductions in the frequency of hypnotic drug use compared with the control group, with many CBT-treated patients reporting zero drug use at the follow-up assessments. Clinical improvements were maintained within the CBT group at the 12-month follow-up, with PSQI scores and the frequency of hypnotic drug use continuing to show significant reductions relative to the control group.
Why this rating
Pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial with 209 participants and 12-month follow-up.
Source
Psychological treatment for insomnia in the regulation of long-term hypnotic drug use
Kevin Morgan et al. · Health Technology Assessment · 2004
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