I generally agree with what you wrote. The sleep problem is vexing. I took zolpidem regularly for insomnia for many years, but also read a lot of medical experts about sleep and had a sleep study done. What this accomplished is that I had more sleep tools in my toolbox than just a drug. In other words, I was able to continue to use zolpidem in certain circumstances at a lower dose, but the other sleep tools I used helped so much that they became my main go-to for sleep issues.

I am not implying by this that others can, or should, do what I did, but only saying what worked with me with the possibility that it may work for someone else. For purposes of full disclosure, I found Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia very helpful. I also was diagnosed with sleep-interfering restless legs syndrome (RLS), which thankfully is under good control.