I've been on it for 10 years. i take it just before getting into bed, maybe read a little or hang out on pc, but have never had any problems. I don't get out of bed once i've taken it, for any reason, basically. I don't drink (i tell people, 'i can't! I take too many drugs!', it usually gets a laugh). I go off the ambien for a couple of days every once in a while per pdoc, this refreshes the effect.