Naltrexone is a medicine used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid abuse and addiction because it stops the activity of opioids. It is also used in the treatment of alcohol dependence because it appears to decrease the user's need to consume alcohol. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or in injection form that can be administered once per month, however the injection can cost up to $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other drugs used to treat opiate dependence is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and is not unlike heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and negates the effects of opioid drugs. An individual who has been abstaining from all opioid meds for seven to ten days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to remain off all other opioid drugs while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, because of the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these types of drugs can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a comprehensive Augusta rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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