Elon Musk Describes His 'excruciating' Year And Says He's Had To Take Ambien To Get To Sleep

Lucy Nicholson / Reuters Tesla CEO Elon Musk says that an "excruciating" year has taken a toll on him. He sometimes has had to take Ambien, a prescription drug that helps induce sleep. Musk described an intense 120-hour work week as both chairman and chief executive of Tesla, a company that has been hit with challenging press coverage in recent weeks. Musk says he has not taken a break from work for more than a week since he contracted malaria in 2001. A person familiar with Tesla board of directors who was cited by The New York Times said some people on the board of directors suggested that Musk's Ambien use may not be effective, and instead, played a role in his social media outbursts. Tesla CEO Elon Musk says that an "excruciating" year has taken a toll and that he sometimes has had to take Ambien, a prescription drug that assists in inducing sleep. "It is often a choice of no sleep or Ambien," Musk said in a New York Times report published Thursday night.See the rest of the story at Business InsiderNOW WATCH: How movie theaters are ruining your movieSee Also:Elon Musk reportedly calls the Tesla whistleblower who claimed the company spied on employees a nutElon Musk says he is working with Goldman Sachs and Silver Lake to help take Tesla privateElon Musk loves video games — here are his favoritesSEE ALSO: 'The most difficult and painful year of my career': Tesla CEO Elon Musk opens up about personal and professional struggles in revealing interview DON'T MISS: Elon Musk reportedly calls the Tesla whistleblower who claimed the company spied on employees a nut