Puddy, it sounds as though you ran into an incompetent quack. Long term benzo use - and SSRIs for that matter - should be closely monitored. These drugs are tools that should be used carefully, ideally while the patient starts therapy and finds other methods to deal with their disorders. Same goes for Lunesta and all psych. drugs.
Sadly, a lot of pdocs are basically clueless when it comes to mental health. There is no excuse for what is basically indiscriminate, reckless prescribing.