Naltrexone is a prescription 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 addiction because it appears to decrease the addict's need to drink. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or in injection form that can be given once per month, however the injection can cost around $1,100 a month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other drugs used to treat opiate addiction is that not like Methadone which is an agonist and is very similar to heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effects of opioid meds. An individual who has been off all opioid drugs for 7-10 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 kinds of drugs can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a full Belmont rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
For All Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs In Belmont, Click Here.