Natrexone
Martin Robertson explains how Naltrexone is used for drug withdrawal.
It is a situation where another prescribed drug replaces one drug that a person is addicted to. Naltrexone is a prescription drug belonging to a group of medications known as opioid antagonists. Essentially, this drug is used for pharmacotherapy.
Naltrexone is used to help with withdrawal symptoms from opioids like heroin and alcohol and helps stay away from these drugs without the need to get high. As an experimental treatment, it is used during rapid withdrawal from a previously used drug to get high.
How Naltrexone is administered
It is taken in the form of a tablet, and the time at which an individual takes the drug is dependent on their situation. Additionally, it can be administered through implant - this method of administration is legal in Australia.
Conditions for the use of Naltrexone for treatment
- The patient should be free from drug use or any opioids for seven to ten days before they begin treatment using Naltrexone. If they use the drug while still reliant on opioids, they may experience instant and acute withdrawal. A person should be tested before administering the medicine using the Naloxone Challenge Test (NCT). In this test, naloxone is given to the patient to determine how dependent they are on opioids.
- The patient should not have any liver conditions, for instance, acute hepatitis.
- If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, then Naltrexone is not safe to administer.
Alcohol and Naltrexone administration
A doctor can prescribe Naltrexone to a patient who has alcohol dependence. As an alcoholic, once you start taking Naltrexone, it will help to:
- Reduce the craving for alcohol
- Reduce the “reward” effect that a patient gets from the use of alcohol
- It helps the patient remain abstinent from the use of alcohol
Should the patient consume alcohol after administration of Naltrexone, the effects will still be felt, and they will be unable to manage tasks that require a sober mind. Therefore, the patient using this drug should desist from alcohol use. Additionally, there should be regular blood tests to monitor the liver function before administering Naltrexone and during the treatment.
The effectiveness of Naltrexone as an addiction treatment
It is essential to note that Naltrexone may not work for everybody. Therefore, it is vital to consult a drug counsellor or a doctor to find the best way forward.
Some studies downplay the effectiveness of Naltrexone as an addiction treatment drug. According to these studies, most people who use Naltrexone as a treatment for hard drugs such as heroin usually end up back to the previously abused substance. For this treatment to work, it is necessary to integrate it into a treatment program that includes alternative therapy, counselling, and a positive peer support group.
Naltrexone is helpful in the prevention of relapse when used to treat a substantial drinking problem. It is effective in helping wean an individual from a drinking habit to maintain a sober lifestyle.
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- ROBERTSON, M. (2016) Naltrexone [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article202.htm [Accessed 4/5/2025]
About the Author
Martin Robertson is a professional Pharmacist who specializes in administering Naltrexone to drug addicts, helping them to live and uphold a lifestyle of somberness. Martin recommends only purchasing Naltrexone at Khemcorp after visiting a doctor or drug counsellor to maintain a sober lifestyle.
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