What Is Naltrexone Used For?
Naltrexone is a medication used to treat opiate dependence. Recently it was also approved to treat alcoholism. It is called an opiate blocker because it blocks the pleasurable effects of the opioid in the brain, which encourages addiction.
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Benefits for Alcoholics
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Naltrexone does three things that contribute to the positive effect of diminished addiction. It decreases the craving for alcohol, makes relapse less pleasurable and helps alcoholics remain abstinent.
Benefits to Opiate Addicts
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Naltrexone blocks the euphoric effects of opiates. This causes a relapse to be unfulfilling. However, it does not block the withdrawal effects that keep opiate addicts addicted. Therefore, the temptation to use just to not be sick may still be very present.
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Benefits for Other Addicts
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Naltrexone is not effective for cocaine or methamphetamine. It appears to only work for opioids and alcohol.
Compliance
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Naltrexone completely blocks all the euphoric effects of opiates. It needs to be administered in such a way as to force compliance so it will be effective. Due to the pain when going through withdrawal and the pleasurable effects of opiates, the addict may choose to not take the medication.
Side effect
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Naltrexone is an effective treatment tool for alcoholism and opiate dependence. It does have some side effects, such as drug-induced hepatitis. This can be avoided by giving a dose no higher than 50 mg at a time.
Naltrexone as a tool
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This drug is not very effective if there are no other interventions in place. These should include education, counseling, group therapy and medication management. It is possible to recover and remain in recovery with help, and this medication may be a part of that assistance.
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