my doctors won't prescribe me anything heavy. they've always been dodgy about it and only given me surface level meds you can get pretty much anywhere. i'm not sure what the reasoning is.
why is that? maybe they're afraid that you're gonna abuse the drugs recreationally or attempt to suicide by overdose?
mirtazapine should be an easy prescription to get. it's a substance that is not as controlled as benzodiazepines or opioids. 7,5 or 15mg and you get your night of sleep. maybe 30-45mg if the goal is to use it as an anti-depressant.
same for amitriptyline, although this one is more dangerous in overdoses compared to other TCAs. anything between 25 and 150mg can work for insomnia.
both of these make you gain a lot weight non-stop (not just in the beginning) and have other side effects, but that's better than not sleeping.
also, I'm suggesting you talk to your doctors about these drugs because I'm guessing you have already done the basic stuff (sleep hygiene).
using soft dimmed lights after 6 PM and being in complete darkness between 10 PM and 5 AM.
using blueblocking glasses after 6 PM.
going out outdoors immediately after you wake up, so the sun can shine on your face and "tell your body" that this is daytime (or using very strong indoor lights if the sun has not appeared yet but you want to be awaken at that time of the morning).
cutting caffeine down to zero
avoiding heavy meals at night
avoiding seed oils, flour, sugar and junk food in general
using healthy carbohydrates (like bananas) 3 hours before going to bed, to help relax
supplementing magnesium (malate, citrate, glycinate or threonate)
having a room that is cool (cold), dark, safe, silent and confortable
doing physical exercise, especially in the morning
etc...