They certainly shouldn't be prescribed lightly (and not as a first choice), but for some people they work without causing side effects in situations where alter

They certainly shouldn't be prescribed lightly (and not as a first choice), but for some people they work without causing side effects in situations where alternatives don't. Keeping them as an option is still a good idea IMO. I've been taking tamazepam for insomnia, off and on, for months now, and experienced no side effects or addiction (when I don't need it, I can stop taking it for a week plus without any adverse effects). I tried multiple alternatives, but none were suitable (diphenhyramine/Nytol - no effect, currently using it as a anti-histamine; zopiclone - severe side effects, including memory loss and visual changes; amitriptyline - effective, but left me extremely tired for ~24hrs after each dose). It's worth pointing out my experience and the lack of addictive effects may not be typical - I was prescribed tramadol (an opiate) for about six months at the maximum dose, and was told by my neurologist to taper slowly and stopping them will be worse than stopping heroin. I stopped cold turkey and had no problems or side effects (other than the original symptoms coming back of cause).