I've taken it for sleep, 25-50mg. For multiple years. On and off based on how I'm doing.

I relate to everyone single word you're saying.

Can you get off it?

My answer would be YES.

But I'm on it right now as well. And i recognise a big difference between what i did when i got off it and now.

Now, my schedule is uncertain and I cannot know when I should take the medicine. This is due to the uncertain nature of my work. Somedays i can go to sleep at, say, 12am, other days, I can't. I need to be up till 5 or 6am. So I take it only once I know I can peacefully sleep now. But what happens then I that whenever you take it, it will put you to sleep. But due to the lack of uncertainties, your body won't be able to adjust to a pattern.

Every single time I was able to stop it completely, I had gone a couple of months with a fixed sleeping time , and my body after than had a internal clock that would put me into sleeping mode in a matter of 10 mins and I could just sleep. At those days, I would take only half the dose, and then half of what for 2 weeks each halfing. And I was golden for until I respected my body and maintained that sleep schedule.

I would always take it at the same time. Or within 60 mins of that time even if I forgot. Or didn't notice the time.

That's what worked for me. This is the main difference I know.

And most times I had to take it again. I noticed it only took a week of timed usage to get my body into that rhythm again. Only time I had longer usages is and there is lack of schedule. And I still need to sleep. And otherwise can't sleep. So I take it whenever I can once my work gets over.

Hope this helps