Naltrexone is a medication 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 treatment of alcohol dependence as it apparently lessens the addict's need to consume alcohol. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or in injection form that can be given once per 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 not like Methadone which is an agonist and is very similar to heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effects of opioid drugs. 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 medications can cause sudden withdrawal reactions.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a full Bedford rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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