Have had insomnia on and off for years - tried everything - Melatonin did not a thing for me - no effect whatsoever. Ambien has changed my life - seriously. Don't feel funny about going to get it filled - insomnia is a medical condition. As was stated previously, very fast acting - usually 5 mg is enough for me - no effects in the a.m. - it is not addictive. Used it last time I went to the UK - 5 mg about an hour after the meal - slept the entire way to London.