in the months that I couldn't sleep I would take my laptop to bed and watch tv stuff or movies on netflix. I suppose if you had a tv in your room you wouldn't have to do that...
I never tried ambien but probably should have.
have you tried Melatonin? I'm not sure if it is voodoo but I think it works pretty well and you can get it over the counter.
and I think if you exercised and worked out it can help get you tired as well.