Naltrexone is a prescription med used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid abuse and addiction because it stops the activity of opioids. It is also used in the management of alcohol dependence as it apparently lessens the user's need to drink. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or in injection form that can be administered once per month, although the injection can cost up to $1,100 a 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 negates the effects of opioid medications. Someone who has been abstaining from all opioid medications for 7-10 days can begin treatment with Naltrexone, but they will have to stop taking all other opioid meds while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy drugs, due to the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these kinds of medications can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a comprehensive Caruthers treatment program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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