Naltrexone is a med used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid abuse and addiction because it stops the activity of opiates. It is also used in the management of alcohol addiction because it appears to decrease the addict's desire to consume alcohol. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or there is an extended-release injection that can be given once per every four weeks, although the injection can cost up to $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other drugs used to treat opiate dependence is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and is very similar to heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effects of opioid medications. An individual who has been off all opioid meds 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 meds, because of the fact that being treated with Naltrexone along with these kinds of drugs can cause sudden withdrawal reactions.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a full Bethel rehab program which would include compliance monitoring, counseling, lifestyle changes, and behavior modification.
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