Naltrexone is a prescription medicine 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 addiction because it appears to decrease the addict's desire to drink. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or there is an extended-release injection that can be given once per month, however 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 not unlike heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effects of opioid meds. An individual who has been abstaining from all opioid drugs for 7-10 days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to stop taking all other opioid medications while taking the medication. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy medications, 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 Mora treatment program which would include compliance monitoring, counseling, lifestyle changes, and behavior modification.