Naltrexone is a prescription 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 treatment of alcohol addiction because it appears to decrease the addict's need to drink. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or in injection form that can be given once an every four weeks, however the injection can cost up to $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other medications used to treat opiate dependence is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and has many of the same properties as heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and negates 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 drugs, because of the fact that being treated with Naltrexone along with these kinds of medications can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a comprehensive Cumberland Foreside treatment program which would include compliance monitoring, counseling, lifestyle changes, and behavior modification.
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