I have sort off the same, since i was 18 i had an urge sometimes to suck my thumb. That urge to do so was very strong. About a year ago i bought a nuk5 and it changed the way i sleep. I sleep with my pacifier every night and have real problems getting to sleep without it. On the very few occasions i loose it during the night, i wake up in a real sense of panic.
I don't know whether my dependance on my pacifier is good or not, but i have never slept as good as now.
My wife sees the difference and encourages me to sleep with it because it brings a positive change, but it's not always easy because i still feel ashamed of this dependance sometimes. So i don't made up my mind yet if i should accept it or not.
But for now i sleep with my pacifier every night and i sleep very good