I had been able to sleep without any problems my whole life. I could sleep anywhere. Then about year ago, that changed. I wasn't able to sleep. I wasn't tired and could stay up all night. After about four months of this, I tried ambien. Started off with 10 mg for about four months. Then switched to 5mg. The 5 mg works just as great as the 10mg. I don't have all the side effects that everyone else has, but I do have some. I wake up with a "hangover" feeling. There is also the dizziness and headaches. And the depression is starting to really get to me. And I am really starting to have problems focusing. These side effects seem to increase the longer I take it. I know I am addicted to ambien...........I start to get panicky if I start to think of not taking it. I am going to try and break the ambien into smaller amounts..........I truly believe there is a toxic level with ambien.