Naltrexone is a prescription med used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid addiction because it stops the activity of opiates. It is also used in the treatment of alcohol dependence as it apparently lessens the addict's desire to consume alcohol. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or in injection form that can be administered once a month, although the injection can cost up to $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other drugs used to treat opiate dependence is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and is not unlike heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effect of opioid meds. An individual who has been off all opioid drugs for seven to ten days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to stop taking all other opioid drugs while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy medications, because of the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these types of drugs can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a full Stamford rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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