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 dependence as it apparently lessens the addict's need to consume alcohol. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or there is an extended-release injection that can be given once a month, although the injection can cost around $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other drugs 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 meds. Someone who has been off all opioid meds for seven to ten days can begin taking 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, because of the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these types of meds can cause sudden withdrawal reactions.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a full Cornell treatment program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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