Naltrexone is a med used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid addiction because it stops the activity of opioids. It is also used in the management of alcohol addiction because it apparently lessens the addict's need to consume alcohol. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or in injection form that can be given once per every four weeks, 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 not like Methadone which is an agonist and is very similar to heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effect of opioid meds. Someone who has been abstaining from all opioid medications for 7-10 days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to stop taking all other opioid medications while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, due to the fact that being treated with Naltrexone along with these types of meds can cause sudden withdrawal reactions.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a full Melrose treatment program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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