Naltrexone is a prescription medication used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid addiction because it stops the activity of opiates. It is also used in the treatment of alcohol addiction because it appears to decrease the user's desire to drink. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or in injection form that can be administered once per month, although the injection can cost around $1,100 a month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other medications used to treat opiate addiction is that not like Methadone which is an agonist and is not unlike heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and negates the effects of opioid meds. An individual who has been off all opioid meds for 7-10 days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to remain off all other opioid drugs while taking the medication. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, because of the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these kinds of meds can cause sudden withdrawal reactions.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a full Reserve rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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