OTC sleep meds (Benadryl, sleep inducers, etc) are meant for short term use only and if used continually will have the reverse effect and keep you awake. Melatonin is a natural hormone and can work well for some but is meant to be used on a limited basis as it can interfere with the natural production of this hormone in your body if used repeatedly for a lengthy time.

Prescription sleep meds are not necessarily addictive if used for short periods of time as prescribed and are best to get your sleep cycle back on track and to give you and your doc enough time to investigate changes to your medication regimen that may need to occur in order for you to regain some control over your sleep patterns, such as taking one med in the PM instead of AM or splitting a dose, adding a new med, etc.

I have taken a prescription sleep aid (Ambien) for several months and sometimes I take it and sometimes I don't....it simply depends on if I fall asleep within an hour of retiring or not. Also, my pdoc gave me a good tip: I break it in half and take only half the pill at bedtime and then IF I awake before my sleep is complete, then I take the other half to restart the cycle and get my full 7 hours.

I hope some of this is helpful. Best of luck. I know how crappy it is to miss out on sleep. I just spent a week fighting jet lag. Yuk!