As many as 42 per cent of the patients currently on medication in UK have been sleeping badly for over 11 years or more.
A further 22 per cent had insomnia lasting two to five years, while one in six had suffered between six and 10 years, the 'Daily Mail' reported.
The study suggested that sleeping pills were not combating long-term sleep problems and that cognitive behavioural therapy has been proven to be more effective.
Around 10 million National Heath Service (MHS) prescriptions for sleeping pills are issued each year.
However, NHS guidelines say they should be for short-term use only - usually for two weeks and up to a maximum of four weeks at a time.
The study found that average score of sleep quality was only five out of 10. Long-term poor sleepers were twice as likely to have relationship problems, suffer from daytime fatigue and lack of concentration.
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The survey also found that almost one in 10 people with insomnia were on sleeping pills prescribed by their doctor, with one in five using over the counter remedies.
US researchers had earlier found that sleeping pills may significantly increase the risk of premature death.