Insomnia Treatment Comparisons: CBT-I, Medication & Online Care

Three quick comparisons to help you understand your options for insomnia care in South Africa. This is general information — not a diagnosis or individual medical advice. A Slumbr physician can advise on what is right for your situation.

CBT-I vs sleep medication

	CBT-I	Sleep medication (prescription)
Evidence position	First-line for chronic insomnia — a strong recommendation in major clinical guidelines (AASM 2021; ESRS 2023).	Considered where CBT-I is insufficient.
What it targets	The root drivers — arousal, conditioning, and sleep-related thoughts.	Symptoms, via different drug classes.
Durability	Benefits can persist after the programme ends.	Some classes carry a tolerance risk.
Dependence	None.	Class-dependent — a key reason Slumbr avoids benzodiazepines for long-term use.
At Slumbr	The foundation of every plan.	Prescribed only after a specialist consultation, where clinically appropriate.

Non-prescription vs prescription sleep support

	Non-prescription (Schedule 0)	Prescription (after a consultation)
How you get it	Buy directly from the Slumbr store.	Only after a specialist consultation; never directly purchasable.
Best for	Milder or situational sleep difficulty; supporting healthy sleep.	Clinically appropriate cases identified by a doctor.
Examples (class-level)	Slumbr Schedule 0 stacks (saffron, L-theanine, glycine, magnesium).	Modern prescription classes agreed with your doctor — e.g. dual orexin receptor antagonists, prolonged-release melatonin, or short-course Z-drugs for under 2–4 weeks.
Claim level	“Supports healthy sleep” — not a treatment for chronic insomnia.	Medical treatment, per individual clinical assessment.
Dispensing	Standard delivery.	We send the prescription; collect it at your nearest pharmacy or have it delivered to your home by a pharmacy. Repeats are capped at 6 months (SA Medicines Act §22A(6)).

Online vs in-person sleep care

	Online (Slumbr)	In-person / sleep laboratory
How it works	Secure video consultation and a written plan; an optional at-home actigraphy device can be used to monitor your sleep.	In-person clinic visit or an overnight sleep study (polysomnography).
Best suited to	Most insomnia assessment and management.	Cases needing a physical or overnight study — for example, suspected obstructive sleep apnoea.
Slumbr's approach	Our core model for insomnia care.	We refer you for in-person assessment when it is clinically indicated.

Take the free Sleep Pattern Assessment → or book a consultation.

Slumbr does not provide emergency care. If you are in crisis or have thoughts of self-harm, contact SADAG on 0800 567 567 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or your nearest emergency unit.