Naltrexone is a medication used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid addiction because it stops the activity of opiates. It is also used in the management of alcohol dependence as it appears to decrease the user'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 up to $1,100 a month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other meds 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 meds. Someone who has been abstaining from all opioid meds for seven to ten days can begin treatment with Naltrexone, but they will have to remain off all other opioid medications while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy medications, because of the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these kinds of medications can cause sudden withdrawal reactions.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a full Richmond treatment program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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