For me, later sleep equals better sleep.

My suggestion for anyone out there who isn't sleeping well -- is to try a schedule change on the weekend to see if the problem is just a simple circadian rhythm disorder. If you keep yourself up until you feel naturally sleepy (instead of trying to make yourself sleep when your body isn't ready yet), you probably will sleep much more deeply and be able to stay asleep for a full eight hours or so. If this works for you, then it probably just means you have delayed sleep phase syndrome and your energy naturally peaks in the evening and night.

The only trouble with changing your sleep schedule is that you also have to change your work schedule. That works out fine for some professions such as musicians, health care workers, warehouse workers, night watchmen, college professors (afternoon/evening classes only, of course)... But it presents a challenge if you have small children to care for, or if you work in a field that only offers a traditional morning start time.

I believe that the best thing any of us can do for our health is to find and keep our own ideal sleep/work schedule -- then no one would be relegated to taking sleep medications.