Wow...and I thought it was just me. I have tried various sleep pills..ambien, lunesta, sonata with no luck. I also used benadryl to sleep. It worked in the beginning but eventually I would just stay awake...literally for days. I never increased my dose. And like many of you I begin to self medicate and turned into a full blown alcoholic.
And now I quit drinking for 48 hours. I feel your pain. I will say some of my coping that has helped....guided meditation, valerian root, kava, scullcap, magnesium supplements, YouTheory Sleep Powder.
I sleep maybe 4-5 hours a night after taking magnesium, the sleep powder and some kava. It sucks. But I can tell you two nights OK I thought it was a good idea to give myself alcohol poisoning while my 4 year old ran around. I woke up covered in throw up, my teeth even hurt, I couldn't eat all day and have decided anything is better. And since it's not the first time I finally realize I can't drink like a normal person.