I've stopped taking Ambien after some odd events including amnesia.
Xanax (alprazolam) is the sleeping Rx of choice for my family and me. .5mg is a handy dose. I take .75mg with my desert on eastbound trans-ocean flights and sleep well for hours and arrive feeling great!
Xanax is actually an anti-anxiety drug that also causes drowsiness. Since it has a short half-life, effects are short (a few hours, not days). It is addictive after a few weeks and should not be taken with very much alcohol.
Oh, the generic (alprazolam) is very inexpensive, too.