Naltrexone for Opioid & Alcohol Use Disorder 

Naltrexone is a medication for addiction treatment that can be useful for helping people attain and maintain recovery. Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication that may be used to treat both opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD).^{1, 2}

If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid or alcohol addiction, you should be aware of your treatment options, which may include medications like naltrexone. 

What Is Naltrexone? 

Naltrexone for addiction is a medication that doctors may prescribe to assist those in recovery from opioid or alcohol use disorder.^{1, 2} In addiction to being an addiction treatment medication, naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist, which means that it blocks opioid receptors that are involved in the pleasurable effects of opioids and alcohol.^{1, 3}  

If someone takes naltrexone and uses opioids or drinks alcohol, they will not experience the rewarding sensations associated with these substances and may therefore be better able to maintain sobriety.^{1, 3}

It is important to note that because naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, if someone takes naltrexone while still using opioids, this may precipitate withdrawal because naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids.

Naltrexone medication is available in different forms, including oral and extended-release injectable, and comes as a generic as well as by various brand names, such as Revia and Vivitrol. ^{3, 4}

Uses for Naltrexone 

Naltrexone is typically used as a part of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan that includes counseling and behavioral therapies.⁵ Naltrexone uses can include reducing cravings and minimizing the pleasurable effects of opioids or alcohol, which may make it easier for people to avoid substance use and maintain their recovery.^{1, 2}  

People who are prescribed naltrexone are usually advised to complete detox and attain a certain period of sobriety beforehand to achieve the greatest benefits.¹

Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder 

Naltrexone is a medication that is commonly prescribed to help people in recovery from alcohol use disorder.¹ Naltrexone for alcohol addiction has been shown to reduce the number of heavy drinking days, decrease overall alcohol intake, and lessen cravings for alcohol.¹

There are two main forms of naltrexone for alcohol addiction, including an oral tablet taken once daily and an extended-release (ER) injectable administered once a month.¹ Before starting naltrexone for alcohol use disorder, it’s important that people do not use opioids for 7 to 10 days, as it can precipitate opioid withdrawal.¹

Although people can technically continue to drink alcohol while taking naltrexone, it’s usually advisable to achieve a period of sustained abstinence first, as this can help to reduce potential side effects and improve naltrexone’s efficacy.⁶

Naltrexone for alcohol withdrawal is not advisable because the FDA label indicates that people should not begin taking it until all of the signs and symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal have subsided.⁶

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder 

Naltrexone may be prescribed to people who are working on their recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD).² It can block the effects of opioids, reduce cravings, and help prevent relapse.² It is typically recommended for those who have completed a medically supervised withdrawal program and have not used opioids for at least 7-14 days.²

One of the key advantages of naltrexone is that it is not an opioid, which means that it has no potential for misuse and does not produce opioid-like effects, making it a safe option to support a person’s ongoing recovery.² 

Naltrexone for opioid withdrawal is not a medication that is used during detox, because it can precipitate acute withdrawal symptoms.³

Naltrexone for opioid use disorder has been shown to be as effective as buprenorphine, another FDA-approved medication for OUD, though these studies focused on the long-term use of the medications.⁷ People who are prescribed naltrexone for opioid addiction usually receive the extended-release (ER) injectable form of naltrexone that offers a steady dose over time, which may help people stick with their medication regimen.^{4, 7}

Side Effects of Naltrexone 

Naltrexone for addiction treatment is considered to be a safe and effective medication when used as directed under the guidance of a physician.² However, as with any medication, it’s possible to experience side effects when taking naltrexone. If you experience side effects from naltrexone, you should consult your physician. 

Potential naltrexone side effects can include:¹

• Nausea. 
• Vomiting. 
• Headaches. 
• Dizziness. 
• Fatigue. 
• Anxiety. 

How Long Will Naltrexone Treatment Last? 

The duration of addiction treatment in general and naltrexone treatment specifically can vary from person to person based on their unique needs.^{5, 6} 

For AUD, the FDA label indicates that people should take naltrexone for up to 3 months.⁶ Reports indicate that people have taken naltrexone for AUD for 6 months to a year with no negative effects, so people can take it over the longer term if necessary and if they continue to experience benefits from its use.⁶

For OUD, people can take medications like naltrexone for short or long durations as necessary for their needs.² The optimal outcomes have been reported to occur when a person takes the medication for as long as they receive a benefit from taking it.² 

Benefits of Using Naltrexone 

Naltrexone can provide numerous benefits for those struggling with OUD or AUD. 

For AUD, naltrexone has been shown to:⁸

• Reduce the number of heavy drinking days.
• Decrease overall alcohol intake.
• Lessen cravings for alcohol. 
• Lead to more days of self-report abstinence.

For OUD, benefits of naltrexone may include:

• Block the effects of illicit opioids.¹
• Prevent relapse after medically supervised withdrawal.¹
• Be as effective as buprenorphine for OUD in helping people prevent a return to opioid use and relapse.⁴
• Reduce opioid cravings.⁴ 

Will Insurance Cover Naltrexone? 

Yes, medically necessary naltrexone may be covered in part or in full by your insurance provider.  

The Affordable Care Act lists mental health and substance use disorder services as essential health benefits, and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 states that insurance providers need to provide the same level of benefits for mental and/or substance use treatment and services that they do for medical and surgical care.^{9, 10}  This means health insurance plans, like those offered by Aetna and Carelon, are required to provide some degree of coverage for addiction treatment. 

However, your exact rehab insurance coverage can vary, so it is advisable to verify your benefits with your insurance carrier. 

Naltrexone for AUD & OUD in Florida 

Research shows that treatment can help people stop opioid and alcohol use, resume productive lives in society, at home, and work, and maintain an abstinent lifestyle.⁵ River Oaks Treatment Center is an alcohol rehab near Tampa, FL that provides effective, evidence-based treatment for OUD and AUD that can include medications like naltrexone, as well as other medications, therapies, and interventions. We offer various levels of addiction treatment, and our individualized recovery plans are personalized to each person’s unique needs. 

If you or a loved one is struggling, it’s important to know that treatment is available to help you start the path to recovery. Please call to speak to a compassionate admissions navigator to explore your rehab payment options and begin the rehab admissions process.