We all need it but a growing epidemic is stealing our sleep and 16-year-old Samantha Privette knows what it's like.

"It started, I couldn't sleep through the night, and then, I couldn't get to sleep at all," said Samantha Privette.

Three to four hours of sleep became the norm for this busy student.

"My grades dropped drastically. I had Fs and Ds at points, and it was just not me," said Privette.

While insomnia sufferers filled more than 50-million prescriptions for sleep meds last year, some experts say it's not worth the risk.

"You do develop a dependency with virtually every sleep aid that's out there," Akinyemi Ajayi, M.D. Medical Director Orlando Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Associates.

Sleep specialist Doctor Gregg Jacobs offers an alternative called cognitive behavioral therapy -- a five-week program completed either in person or online.

"A lot of people don't have the time or the ability to come over here to the sleep clinic for four or five visits," said Gregg Jacobs, Ph.D. Sleep Specialist.

Some lessons in the program: Get up at the same time every day. Keep a sleep diary. Don't stay in bed if you're awake. Instead, get away for 30 minutes. Patients also practice relaxation.

"We find a lot of people are actually more comfortable with a computer than interacting with a person," said Dr. Jacobs.

A recent Sleep Journal study found 81% of participants using online behavior therapy reported improved sleep. Samantha is seeing a counselor and can now sleep through the night.

"I'm making better grades, and I'm able to concentrate more," said Samantha Privette.

Ivanhoe Broadcast News2745 W. Fairbanks Ave.Winter Park, FL 32789http://www.ivanhoe.comJulie Marks, Supervising Producer of Prescription: Healthjmarks@ivanhoe.comDirect Line: (407) 691-1500Viewer Line: (407) 740-0789 ext. 579