Google "shift-work sleep disorder"
http://www.google.com/search?q=shift%2dwork+sleep+disorderYou will learn the joys of "PROVIGIL", a drug that helps.
To knock you out, I suggest "Ambien".
I understand you don't want to be all drugged up, however used in moderation, some of those pills can help you in a bind.
Some general guidelines for decreasing the effects of SWSD
Decrease the number of night shifts worked in a row. Shift workers working the night shift sleep less than day workers and become progressively more sleep-deprived over several days. You are more likely to recover from sleep deprivation if you can limit your number of third shifts to five or less, with days off in between. If you work a 12-hour shift, you should limit work to four shifts in a row. After a string of night shifts, you should have more than 48 hours off, if possible.
Avoid extended work hours. Avoid working prolonged shifts and putting in excessive overtime.
Avoid long commutes, which can take time away from sleeping.
Avoid rotating shifts more than once a week. It is more difficult to deal with rotating shifts than it is to work the same shift for a longer period of time.
Get enough sleep on your days off. Practice good sleep hygiene by planning and arranging a sleep schedule and by avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.
Avoid reliance on stimulants, both over-the-counter and otherwise. At best, caffeine and stimulants only temporarily fool the body into thinking its functioning properly. Caffeine and stimulants can further complicate sleep disorders.
Accommodation Ideas:
Daytime Sleepiness:
Provide a device such as a Doze Alert or other alarms to keep the employee alert
Reschedule for longer or shorter, more frequent breaks
Provide a shift change for when the employee is most alert
Maintaining Concentration:
Provide space enclosures or a private work area or office
Increase natural lighting or provide full spectrum lighting
Reduce clutter in the employee's work environment
Plan for uninterrupted work time
Divide large assignments into smaller tasks and steps
Restructure job to include only essential functions
Allow the employee to listen to music or white noise with a headset
Memory Deficits:
Post instructions with frequently used equipment
Allow the employee to tape record verbal instruction or meetings
Provide written checklists
Allow additional training time
Provide written as well as verbal instructions
Use notebooks, calendars, or sticky notes to record information for easy retrieval
Attendance Issues:
Provide a flexible start time and/or end time
Allow the employee to work from home
Provide a part time work schedule
Provide a shift change
Decreased Stamina:
Provide a flexible schedule
Allow longer or more frequent work breaks
Provide additional time to learn new responsibilities
Provide backup coverage for when the employee needs to take breaks
Restructure job to include only essential functions