TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Persons with insomnia who depend on prescription sleeping pills may be eligible to receive a sleep disorders evaluation and insomnia treatment by participating in a research study conducted by The University of Alabama department of psychology and funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The study involves two sites in Alabama -- Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. In Tuscaloosa, the treatments are offered at the DCH Medical Center Sleep Lab. In Birmingham, treatments are offered at the Sleep Disorders Center of Alabama.

About 30 percent of adults experience some type of insomnia in varying degrees. People with insomnia may have trouble falling asleep or trouble with lying awake during the night, or a combination of these problems. This research study provides treatment for persons with any of these insomnia problems.

The study involves the use of several treatments for insomnia. No sleep medication is provided. All who qualify for this research will receive an individualized program for withdrawal from sleep medication. All who qualify will receive a thorough screening for sleep disorders at no charge.

The treatments are provided at no cost to participants as part of the UA research grant. In addition, volunteers who complete the study will be paid $300 for participating.

The treatments used in this research study are designed so that persons with insomnia can learn to manage their sleep difficulty and gain control of their sleep-wake pattern. The goal of the treatments is to help the person with insomnia to fall asleep and stay asleep during the night.

Persons may be eligible to participate if they are (1) between the ages of 21 and 65, (2) frequently take prescription medication for trouble sleeping, (3) currently continue to have trouble falling asleep or trouble staying asleep at night, or currently have both of these problems, and (4) have sleep problem(s) at least three nights per week, and it has been going on for at least six months.

Call toll free 1-877-210-9723 for more information about the research study.