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 management of alcohol dependence as it appears to decrease the addict's desire to consume alcohol. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or in injection form that can be administered once a month, however the injection can cost around $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other meds used to treat opiate dependence is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and is not unlike heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effect of opioid meds. Someone who has been off all opioid meds for seven to ten days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to stop taking all other opioid medications while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, because of the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these types of meds can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a comprehensive Norwood treatment program which would include compliance monitoring, counseling, lifestyle changes, and behavior modification.
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