Naltrexone For Substance Misuse Treatment
Table of Contents
Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication used to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). It’s often combined with traditional mental health and addiction counseling to provide a “whole-person” approach to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.
This page covers what naltrexone is, how it works, and how to find treatment that includes it.
What Is Naltrexone?
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of both alcohol and opioid dependence, naltrexone is available in oral tablets and long-acting intramuscular injections. The extended release injectable form of naltrexone is available under the brand name Vivitrol.2,3
Naltrexone is one of the most common medications used to treat AUD and OUD.1
Naltrexone Mechanism of Action
Naltrexone is a non-addictive medication that works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, which reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol and opioids.2 By doing so, it helps to curb cravings and supports the reduction of alcohol and opioid use.2
Naltrexone for addiction treatment is recommended for some as part of a comprehensive plan that also includes behavioral health counseling to provide a holistic approach to addiction treatment.2
Research shows that combining medication for addiction treatment with traditional therapy as a way to treat addiction can improve patient outcomes, increase survival rates, help to sustain participation in treatment, and improve birth outcomes, among other benefits.1
Side Effects of Naltrexone
Naltrexone is generally regarded as safe and is not typically linked to serious side effects.4
However, naltrexone may cause some side effects that vary from person to person. Some potential common side effects may include:2,3
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Decreased appetite.
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
- Injection site inflammation (with extended-release form).
Extended-release naltrexone may be unsuitable for some due to potential liver inflammation, especially at high or prolonged doses. Fortunately, liver issues typically resolve after stopping the medication.3
Patients using naltrexone for addiction treatment are encouraged to report any side effects to their doctor, especially if they are severe, bothersome, or do not subside.2
Despite potential side effects, naltrexone remains a highly effective and valuable option for treating addiction.
Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Use of naltrexone for AUD has been shown to reduce heavy drinking, decrease frequency of drinking and amount of alcohol consumed, and reduce cravings for alcohol while reducing the likelihood of relapse.5,6
Doctors prescribe naltrexone not to treat alcohol withdrawal, but to help reduce cravings and support long-term abstinence from alcohol.4
Treatment with naltrexone typically begins after the acute symptoms of alcohol withdrawal have passed.4 Practitioners generally wait for 3-7 days of alcohol abstinence before administering oral naltrexone treatment.4
Naltrexone for AUD typically continues for up to 4 months, with practitioners continuing to monitor patients to ensure successful outcomes once naltrexone treatment ends.2
A good candidate for naltrexone treatment for AUD is someone who:7
- Is highly motivated.
- Is abstinent at the time of treatment.
- Is in stable health.
- Has intense cravings for alcohol.
- Has a family history of alcohol use disorder.
Naltrexone does not have any direct harmful interactions with alcohol, so there is no risk if a person relapses while taking it.5 It is also considered safe for long-term use.1
Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder
Use of naltrexone for OUD has been found to decrease opioid misuse, enhance retention in treatment programs, and lower the risk of relapse after medically supervised detoxification.8
When treating opioid use disorder (OUD) with naltrexone, it is important to delay starting the medication until opioids have been fully cleared from the body. Starting too soon can trigger sudden withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, sweating, chills, and muscle aches.8,9
To avoid withdrawal symptoms, practitioners typically elect to begin treatment after a medically supervised opioid withdrawal, waiting a minimum of 7-10 days after using short-acting opioids or 10-14 days after long-acting opioids prior to starting naltrexone.8
A good candidate for naltrexone treatment for OUD is someone who:4
- Is highly motivated or is being monitored by a physician.
- Is abstinent from opioids.
- Is in stable health.
- Is not in acute opioid withdrawal.
- Is not pregnant.
Used responsibly, naltrexone is a safe option for those seeking treatment that will ultimately increase their likelihood of remaining abstinent long-term.7
Opioid and Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Rhode Island
If you or someone you know is interested in starting naltrexone for addiction treatment, inpatient addiction treatment in Rhode Island is available at AdCare Treatment Centers.
AdCare offers medical detox, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, residential inpatient, and follow-up care based uniquely on each patient’s needs for treatment.
Medications for addiction treatment for AUD and OUD may be incorporated into the various levels of care for addiction treatment offered at AdCare, including medical detox, inpatient or residential treatment, and outpatient services.
A patient’s recommended level of care is determined during the rehab admissions process with the help of qualified admissions personnel.
Reach out to one of our admissions navigators at 866-739-7692 to discuss paying for rehab, insurance coverage for addiction treatment and other questions you have about naltrexone and drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
You can also quickly and easily check your insurance coverage for rehab by completing our confidential online form now.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024, April). Substance use disorder treatment options.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024, March). Naltrexone.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2022, September). Medication labeling guide: Vivitrol.
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2009). Chapter 4—Oral Naltrexone. In: incorporating alcohol pharmacotherapies into medical practice. Treatment improvement protocol (TIP) Series, No. 49). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- Hendershot, C. S., Wardell, J. D., Samokhvalov, A. V., & Rehm, J. (2017). Effects of naltrexone on alcohol self-administration and craving: Meta-analysis of human laboratory studies. Addiction Biology, 22(6), 1515-1527.
- Abraham, A. J., Andrews, C. M., Harris, S. J., & Friedmann, P. D. (2020). Availability of medications for the treatment of alcohol and opioid use disorder in the USA. Neurotherapeutics, 17(1), 55–69.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). Medication for the treatment of alcohol use disorder: A brief guide.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Chapter 3C: Naltrexone. In: Medications for opioid use disorder. Treatment improvement protocol (TIP) series, no. 63. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4131. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2006.