How Does Naltrexone Treatment Work?

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Naltrexone is a medication that treats the effects of opioid abuse to help individuals stay in recovery. Call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) now to learn more about naltrexone and to find rehab centers that can help you recover from opioid abuse.

What is Naltrexone?

Naltrexone is a tablet that is taken by mouth, usually daily, to treat opioid or alcohol addiction. There is also an injectable version (under the brand name Vivitrol) that is administered only once every few weeks.

According to the National Library of Medicine, naltrexone is “used along with counseling and social support to help people who have stopped drinking alcohol and using street drugs continue to avoid drinking or using drugs.” The medication is in a class called opioid antagonists.

How Does Naltrexone Work?

Naltrexone tackles opioid addiction on two levels.

• It decreases cravings for opioids as well as for alcohol.
• While active in the system, naltrexone blocks the effects of any other drugs used by the individual, so they don’t experience highs.
• It precipitates withdrawal in anyone dependent on opioids.

As such, someone who begins using naltrexone must be completely finished with their withdrawal syndrome and no longer dependent on opioids or alcohol.

Who Can Use Naltrexone?

Physicians and other middle-class patients tend to do well on Naltrexone.

Naltrexone is a very effective medication for a specific group of individuals. For example, those who are still dependent on opioids cannot take the drug, and those who’ve struggled with treatment and recovery for a long time often do not benefit from it. These populations often stop taking the medication, citing that it is too difficult to tolerate.

Thus, as a form of treatment, naltrexone usage and prescriptions are generally limited.

However, there may be other uses for naltrexone. Preliminary studies have indicated that the medication can help those with other addictions, such as gambling or pornography and sex addictions. Even those with compulsive buying disorders may benefit from naltrexone, but further research is warranted.

How Does Naltrexone Fit into a Full Treatment Program?

Naltrexone is often used to treat addiction as part of a full treatment program, including behavioral therapies, social support, medical care, and possibly other medications. Patients are given naltrexone to minimize cravings and block the effects of opioids, but this should not be their only line of defense when it comes to professional care.

Naltrexone treatment usually works best as part of a full treatment program and when the participant is willing to abide by the schedule set for them. In some cases, it might be easier for certain individuals to receive occasional Vivitrol injections because the patient won’t have to faithfully take the medication every day.

Seek Help for Opioid Addiction Today

Call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) now to find safe rehab centers where you can begin addiction treatment and put an end to your opioid abuse for good. Let us help you find the right program for your needs.

Which Treatment Options are the Safest for Narcotic Addiction?

Combining medication and behavioral therapy has proven most effective at keeping patients safe from relapse.

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