I'm another long term insomniac (over 20 years) who struggles to get to sleep, then ends up sleeping during the morning to catch up. I have always been a night owl, so took a job working evenings, but that in turn has made me more nocturnal than ever.
I have cut out caffeine in the evenings, and try not to eat anything too heavy before bedtime. When I first reduced caffeine there seemed to be an improvement, but most nights my mind still races about nothing in particular. Once or twice I've accidentally made myself a normal cuppa before bed, through force of habit, reaching for the normal jar, then found that I've slept quite well, despite having caffeine! So that's evidently not the whole issue. I've tried alcohol, but although it makes me drowsy at first it then wears off and I'm wide awake. Also, it gives me headaches.
I tried some melatonin tablets I got from abroad (GP wouldn't prescribe) but they didn't seem to help me get to sleep, and also they gave me nightmares. Sometimes I download a radio programme to take my mind off things, it doesn't always work but at least I'm not bored.
I occasionally skip a whole night's sleep, not by choice, but because I've failed to drop off all night. Usually the next night I sleep well, and I wonder how great life would be and how much more I could achieve, if I had that type of sleep every night.
My sleep pattern is crap and being out of kilter is a problem when it comes to having work done in our home, as they often want to start at 8am which is the middle of the night to me! I hate having to explain why I need them to start later, so I basically lie and pretend I work full night shifts, otherwise they tend to sneer and judge me for being lazy. There are a lot of people who are naturally early risers but often when I ask them if they have any trouble falling asleep they usually tell me they're asleep within minutes. They just haven't a clue what it's like when sleep is so evasive!
On occasions I've laboured for many hours digging in the garden, or helping DH with some DIY project, and I've been physically shattered, but still couldn't sleep! I go out for a long walk most days, partly to make sure I get a dose of daylight (SAD sufferer too) but anyway the solution evades me. Perhaps I should get one of those lightbox alarm things, and set it to wake me up earlier each day? Has anyone had success with that method? Sorry, long post, not helpful to anyone, I'm out of ideas.