Naltrexone is a prescription med used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid addiction because it stops the activity of opioids. It is also used in the treatment of alcohol addiction as it apparently lessens the addict's need to consume alcohol. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or there is an extended-release injection that can be given once a month, although the injection can cost around $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other medications used to treat opiate addiction is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and is not unlike heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effects of opioid medications. An individual who has been abstaining from all opioid medications for seven to ten days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to stop taking all other opioid drugs while taking the medication. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, due to the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these types of meds can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a full Ellsworth treatment program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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