Naltrexone is a prescription 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 addiction as it appears to decrease the addict's need to consume alcohol. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or in injection form 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 medications used to treat opiate addiction is that not like Methadone which is an agonist and has many of the same properties as heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effect of opioid medications. An individual who has been off all opioid meds for seven to ten days can begin treatment with Naltrexone, but they will have to stop taking all other opioid drugs while taking the medication. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, due to the fact that being treated with Naltrexone along with these types of meds can cause sudden withdrawal reactions.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a comprehensive Swanton rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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