Why do I feel like I can't sleep without going into a drunken stupor?

because alcohol has affected your gamma, dopamine, and serotonin levels. it doesn't help that you are probably so used to passing out at night that you have forgotten how to fall into a natural sleep. this will get better the longer you stay sober!

I have had times in my life that I thought getting super drunk was the only way. It took the pain I really didn't want to handle. It got to the point that I would only sleep while drunk and that sleep wasn't good. I sought out help. I connected with someone online and after a while, I went to see a doctor. Slowly I felt like nights started to be easier. Now I still have sleepless nights but I know to take it easy. Have mercy on yourself.

Healthy amounts of alcohol can help the body relax and fall asleep. But if it takes more than about a drink to relax you, you may have an emotional dependency on alcohol, or possibly a sleeping disorder. If you really feel like you won't be able to sleep without being drunk, then I would say it's an emotional dependency. Stress-relieving activities like exercise before bed, a hot bath, or yoga may be able to help, but sometimes it requires the help of a therapist.

It sounds like you might have started a habit. It is proven that it takes 21 days for someone to start a new habit. But other than it being a habit physically, you might be having a habit emotionally and mentally. Alcohol is known to be a depressant, which can cause thoughts to become slow and actions to be hesitant, you might be trying to run away from something from your life. So, you take alcohol to numb the pain that this thing might be causing. Many people find ways to numb themselves, but I recommend welcoming it, figure out what is causing it, and talk to someone about how to resolve it. Friends and family are great listeners, as so is a Listener from this website. If you don't feel comfortable opening up to a friend or family, then perhaps calling a helpline or a group session. :)

Some people have a lot going on in their minds. This makes it hard for the brain to get into the relaxed niche required for sleeping. So the person feels unable to sleep until the brain becomes completely mushy, just the way it gets when a person drinks. So if it seems to you that you are unable to sleep under given normal circumstances, it is likely that you are feeling anxious over a case of insomnia. In case of insomnia, people really can not sleep, no matter what. And here, you feel like you can not sleep unless you are in a drunken stupor.

Perhaps you feel like being in that state is comforting & relaxing. When we fall asleep it's usually because we are finally comfortable.

I would say this is mainly because there is something troubling your mind. You need to lay out or write down what is troubling you and maybe even talk to others or here about it, I am sure you will be able to sleep peacefully once you have resolved the issue. :)

Being intoxicated can ease your mind and take you away from any worries you may have that keep you awake at night when you're sober and because of this you may have gotten into a routine where you feel that alcohol is needed. Even if you can't see an emotional connection, alcohol lowers the heart rate and muscle contraction rate which calms the body biologically making it easier to sleep anyway. Please try your best to get the help that is available to you, :)