Naltrexone is a medication used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid addiction because it stops the activity of opiates. It is also used in the management of alcohol addiction because it apparently lessens the addict's desire to drink. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or there is an extended-release injection that can be administered once an every four weeks, however the injection can cost up to $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other meds used to treat opiate addiction is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and is very similar to heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and negates the effects of opioid medications. Someone who has been off all opioid drugs for seven to ten days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to remain off all other opioid meds while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, due to the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these kinds of drugs can cause sudden withdrawal reactions.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a full Canyon Country treatment program which would include compliance monitoring, counseling, lifestyle changes, and behavior modification.
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