[Clemintine]

She had been a pretty heavy user for a few years, then last summer we did acid together when she couldn't get a fix and thus lead her into withdraw from heroin and started her recovery process. It was horrible but she eventually went home and got through it, after a month or two of feeling the worst she was clean and off it but heavily medicated otherwise from her doctor (taking ativan and maybe some others).
She was doing okay for a month or so, but then slipped up and started using again... her parents aren't the most supportive people, and I suspect they drove her to it once again.
Anyway, in the end she's started on Methadone and has been taking it for a year now with no slip ups... Now that the back story is complete, I have two concerns I thought someone might be able to help me on.
1: Is there anything she can do/eat/take herbal or otherwise to counter the sleepy effects of methadone? I've told her to ask her own doc, but she is very insecure and neglects to ask her doctor things in case she gets yelled at about doing something wrong ): So I thought to ask.. if anyone knows what might help? I got her a job at a very calm and stressless work environment but it's almost too calm, when I walk in to visit her she's sleeping sitting up. It scares me because I don't want her to be fired and fall back into bad habits.
2. She's planning on weaning off methadone as she and her boyfriend would one day like to travel and not have to worry about having a carry or any of it... What can I do during that process to help her or make it easier? The same thing I have been? Just being there if she needs to talk and being a supportive friend like I have been? It feels like it isn't enough...
I would really appreciate any advice on this, she is a gem of a friend and through her own choices and not suffered from the world on a daily basis... I don't think she deserves that ):

[DrBill100]

There is little that you can do beyond what you are already doing. Continue to offer support and understanding. Very important in recovery.

There are drugs other than Methadone that have proven effective in maintenance. But with a full year of success it would probably not be advisable to switch. Her doctor could also provide another medication to safely counter the drowsiness, a not uncommon side-effect of Methadone, but that gets into another set of problems. One drug to counter the side-effects of another can lead to an endless escalation. It sounds like the only alternative however, unless the drowsiness subsides spontaneously. Also not uncommon.

In addition it would not be wise, or safe, to seek out herbal or other remedies that could interfere with the pharmacokinetics of her prescription. That's risky and the results unpredictable. Please don't pursue that.

Her only safe alternative is to discuss the undesirable side-effects with the prescribing physician. Perhaps you can influence her in that direction.

In the meantime continue your positive support. That is overall more effective than any medication on the market.

Wish I could be of more help. Good luck

[talaniman]

1: Is there anything she can do/eat/take herbal or otherwise to counter the sleepy effects of methadone? I've told her to ask her own doc, but she is very insecure and neglects to ask her doctor things in case she gets yelled at about doing something wrong ): So I thought to ask.. if anyone knows what might help? I got her a job at a very calm and stressless work environment but it's almost too calm, when I walk in to visit her she's sleeping sitting up. It scares me because i don't want her to be fired and fall back into bad habits.

2. She's planning on weaning off methadone as she and her boyfriend would one day like to travel and not have to worry about having a carry or any of it... What can I do during that process to help her or make it easier? The same thing I have been? Just being there if she needs to talk and being a supportive friend like I have been? It feels like it isn't enough...

The answer to both of your questions is to get her to talk honestly with her doctor and I doubt she will get yelled at, that's a cop out excuse to justify doing nothing because she may even like the effects ot her methadone. Something a prescribing doctor needs to know.

As to traveling, also a bad idea to try to wean yourself off her meds. Very bad idea, and as her friend, let her know this. She can travel when she is clean, and straight on her own for a year!

At least she has a friend who won't fall for her dope fiend manipulations and excuses and as DrBill said, that's the best medicine to have.