Naltrexone for Addiction Treatment

Naltrexone for Alcoholism Treatment: Everything You Need To Know

Initially, doctors or licensed physicians used Naltrexone to treat opioid addiction, including the treatment of heroin. Patients no longer experienced the pleasurable sensations associated with opium after taking Naltrexone, and they were less motivated to continue their drug abuse. The results were the same when tested on alcoholics.

While the precise mechanism is not fully understood, the brain interacts very similarly with alcohol as it does with opioids. The euphoria and pleasure that one experiences when Naltrexone, therefore, eliminates drinking. After drinking, alcoholics on Naltrexone are less likely to continue drinking as they no longer experience the ‘rewarding’ feeling that they did before. 

Naltrexone has a long history of success in alcohol treatment, but when taken alone, it is not sufficient. Naltrexone neither reduces alcohol cravings nor reduces alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Naltrexone is most effective when used in conjunction with other treatments, including other medicines, therapy, counseling, and 12- step programs. One area that has been particularly useful for the treatment of relapsed alcoholics is Naltrexone.

Naltrexone is absorbed through the liver by the body and can cause severe and life-changing liver damage. Having a damaged liver will restrict its effectiveness and prevent doctors from prescribing it to patients with liver damage.  

Using Naltrexone

Naltrexone is a prescription medicine. Just like most treatment medications, a physician’s supervision is an uppermost requirement for successful application.

Administering Naltrexone while the patient is still ingesting alcohol is not recommended. Doctors should only prescribe after the patient has completely stopped using alcohol or the detoxification process is complete. 

Doctors or licensed physicians will prescribe Naltrexone only when they know that the patient’s liver is working correctly and not pregnant.

Naltrexone is sometimes prescribed for a short period, in particular in-patient rehabilitation settings. 

Research suggests that the most effective way to rehabilitate alcoholics and Naltrexone is safe to use for longer than three months. Naltrexone is considered a comparatively safe drug, and therefore your doctor may decide that treatment may continue indefinitely.

Due to Naltrexone’s potential to interact with certain opioid medications, patients should refrain from using illegally produced opioids.

A single tablet of Naltrexone is to be taken with or without food once a day. It can also be taken once daily, once every second day, or once every third day except Sunday (or other designated day of the week). When you forget to take the dose, you should take the prescribed amount as soon as possible and make sure you are not near when you need to receive the next dose. Should you miss a dose, you should never double up. 

Side Effects of Naltrexone

Naltrexone has a long usage history in medicine, and its side effects are well studied and documented. It is regarded as a relatively safe and low-side-effect medicine, which is one of the reasons for its widespread use. However, Naltrexone should be monitored for side effects in new patients carefully.

Some of Naltrexone’s most common side effects include:

• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Anxiety and nervousness
• Headaches
• Abdominal pain
• Aches
• Rash
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Constipation
• Chills
• Increased or decreased energy
• Ringing in the ears

Less common but slightly more severe side effects of Naltrexone include:

• Liver failure or toxicity
• Hypersensitivity to the drug
• Thoughts of suicide
• Hallucinations
• Blurred vision
• Swelling all over the body 
• Shortness of breath

Benefits of Taking Naltrexone

Compared to the alternative treatments, Naltrexone does have fewer, less serious side effects. Studies show that this medication reduces drinking motivation, particularly among recuperating alcoholics, by eliminating the pleasurable effects of drinking without removing the effects of damage. 

Naltrexone will improve the results of other treatment methods such as therapy and counseling. The therapeutic benefits cause many to overlook the potential side effects of the drug. 

Time To Take Action

Naltrexone is an essential component of many alcoholism treatment programs, but it is only one of them. It can only be prescribed as part of a treatment program by a doctor or licensed physician. 

Suppose someone you care about is considering taking Naltrexone to help them overcome their alcoholism. In that case, various resources and tools are available to assist in broader learning that can benefit everyone. It’s also a sensible idea to contact a registered and recommended treatment provider to discover which treatment rehab specialist handles alcoholism. With all addictions, it’s vital to seek out help as soon as possible and get the required care. 

There is no certainty that the doctors will prescribe Naltrexone because each patient is unique, and treatment may vary accordingly. Medications like this one are frequently used in combination with other therapies. Make sure you’ve done your homework, so you know what to expect.