Naltrexone is a medicine 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 dependence as it apparently lessens the user's need to drink. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or there is an extended-release injection that can be administered once an every four weeks, however the injection can cost around $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other meds used to treat opiate dependence is that not like Methadone which is an agonist and is very similar to heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effect of opioid medications. Someone who has been abstaining from 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 medication. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, due to the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these types of meds can cause sudden withdrawal reactions.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a full Pala rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.