I couldn't fall asleep before, that's why I got a prescription.
Anyway, I only take my generic Ambien on work nights; Friday and Saturday night I do without. So I have a basis of comparison. It's exactly like it was before. I deny that I've developed a dependence, I've just become accustomed to a higher quality experience at bedtime.
Db I just have alot of friends that say once they started the ambien pills that they could not get to sleep anymore without them. If you can then I would venture to say you are the exception.