An alcohol or opioid addiction struggle is intimidating. Getting treatment and help is a confusing, solitary experience. People ask themselves, "How does naltrexone work?" or "Does it cut off cravings?" The FDA has indicated naltrexone as a drug for alcohol use disorder. It may keep people from drinking or using opioids, especially with counseling, therapy, and long-term support.
Here at St. Christopher's Addiction Wellness Center in Baton Rouge, we offer men personalized, evidence-based treatments; that is, we utilize medications like naltrexone in alcohol and opioid treatment with community support, counseling, and services to help men achieve long-term recovery and maximize their well-being in life.
Naltrexone is a drug that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat some substance use disorders. It is specifically approved to treat individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD).
Naltrexone comes in two primary forms: daily oral tablets, which are marketed under brand names such as ReVia and are also available over-the-counter in generic form. Then there is Vivitrol, which is a monthly injectable. This provides more flexibility depending on patient preference and necessity.
Naltrexone is a brain opioid receptor blocker that decreases opioids' and alcohol's euphoric, relaxing, and sedating effects. This reduces the rewarding sensations, and an individual will be less inclined to use them.
Unlike certain medications, like methadone or buprenorphine, naltrexone does not get a person "high" or intoxicated. It is also not likely to cause withdrawal when stopped. Its absence of addiction makes it very much in demand for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in patients who desire non-addictive medicines.
Naltrexone is a drug that assists individuals who have alcohol dependence. Naltrexone decreases the pleasurable effects of alcohol, which makes it less complicated for an individual to reduce or quit drinking.
Here's the way it works when one consumes alcohol, the body releases endorphins that bring reward and euphoria and might foster further drinking. Naltrexone inhibits the opioid receptors in
For opioid use disorders, naltrexone prevents the high entirely. If someone experiences a relapse while taking naltrexone, the drug blocks opioids from binding to the brain's receptors, which reduces the risk of overdose, though it doesn't eliminate this risk completely. This blocking effect extends to both illegal opioids like heroin and prescription pain medications containing opioid compounds.
The FDA has been using naltrexone since 1994 to treat alcohol, inhibiting or halting the desire to drink. Vivitrol, its injectable counterpart, was approved in 2010 for relapse prevention after opioid detox. Studies indicate that naltrexone is most effective early in recovery, when cravings are most intense.
Research has established that individuals taking naltrexone consume fewer calories in the week and remain relapse-free for more extended periods compared to individuals who do not take it. COMBINE research, one of the largest clinical trials, demonstrated that naltrexone enhanced drinking results when combined with medical management.
Get medical help right away if you have any of these severe but infrequent side effects:
Warning: If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, seek immediate medical care or go to the nearest emergency room. Prompt action can be crucial for your health.
Many people wonder about drinking alcohol on naltrexone. Unlike Antabuse, drinking alcohol on naltrexone won't make you physically sick. Instead, naltrexone makes alcohol feel less rewarding, which helps reduce the desire to continue drinking and increases the chances of stopping altogether. This mechanism allows individuals to work toward moderation or abstinence without the fear of severe physical reactions.
Naltrexone drinking experiences often include reduced enjoyment from alcohol, decreased cravings, and a natural tendency to drink less. Many patients report that alcohol simply doesn't provide the same satisfaction it once did, making it easier to choose sobriety or significant reduction in consumption.
Before starting naltrexone, your healthcare provider will review your complete medical history and current medications. The medication may interact with opioids, certain cough and diarrhea medications containing opioids, and liver medications. Patients must be completely free from opioids for at least seven to ten days before starting naltrexone to prevent precipitated withdrawal.
Always disclose all medications and supplements to your healthcare provider to ensure safe treatment. It's particularly important to inform all healthcare providers, including dentists and emergency room physicians, that you're taking naltrexone, as this affects how they can treat pain or other conditions.
Naltrexone may not be appropriate for everyone. You should not take naltrexone if you're currently using opioids, experiencing opioid withdrawal, have active liver disease, or are pregnant or breastfeeding without consulting your provider first. Additionally, individuals must be fully detoxed from opioids before starting naltrexone to prevent triggering withdrawal symptoms.
People with severe liver disease or acute hepatitis should avoid naltrexone due to potential liver toxicity. Those with a history of allergic reactions to naltrexone or its components should also seek alternative treatments. Individuals who require opioid pain medications for chronic conditions may need to consider different treatment approaches, as naltrexone blocks the effectiveness of all opioid medications.
Many individuals seeking care at St. Christopher's Addiction Wellness Center deal with co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. While naltrexone doesn't directly treat these conditions, it can reduce substance use, which allows therapy to become more effective and provides a clearer foundation for addressing underlying mental health issues.
Co-occurring disorders require specialized treatment approaches that address both addiction and mental health simultaneously. At St. Christopher's, our integrated treatment model ensures that all aspects of a person's wellbeing receive attention, creating a more stable foundation for long-term recovery success.
The success of naltrexone is greater than just blocking cravings. Clinical trials provided significant gains in a range of drinking measures, including reduced heavy drinking days and increased duration of abstinence.
Studies consistently show that three- to four-month treatment courses can be highly effective, but extended treatment is what helps many patients. Does naltrexone with alcohol use disorders work in the real world? Studies consistently reveal that naltrexone makes a substantial difference when added to treatment programs. The medication is only one part of medication-assisted treatment and does best in association with counseling and support groups.
At St. Christopher's Addiction Wellness Center, we've specialized in providing men with comprehensive addiction treatment for over 25 years, combining medical expertise with evidence-based practices and genuine compassionate care. Our experienced team recognizes that while medications like naltrexone for alcohol and opioids can significantly support recovery, lasting transformation comes from our complete treatment approach that includes multiple levels of care tailored to meet men where they are in their recovery journey.
We offer medically supervised detoxification with 24-hour nursing care and physician oversight, residential treatment programs lasting 30 to 90 days that provide immersive therapeutic environments, and extended care programs of 90 days or more for those requiring additional time to build solid recovery foundations, as research consistently shows longer treatment stays correlated with better long-term outcomes.
Our outpatient programs allow individuals to maintain work and family responsibilities while receiving intensive treatment through individual counseling, group therapy, and ongoing medical monitoring, while our family-centered approach includes education and support components that help rebuild relationships and create healthy support systems at home, recognizing that addiction affects entire families and healing must extend beyond the individual.
Each personalized treatment plan incorporates evidence-based therapies including cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care approaches, with licensed therapists working alongside each resident to address underlying issues contributing to addiction while building the healthy coping skills, community support, and practical life skills development necessary for long-term success.
Is naltrexone effective for alcohol use disorders? Studies repeatedly demonstrate that naltrexone dramatically reduces relapse risk in both AUD and OUD patients, but it is most effective with a well-established recovery program. SAMHSA and NIAAA estimate that naltrexone is most effective when combined with counseling, peer support, and continued long-term treatment.
Medication only plays a part in the healing at St. Christopher's. Our comprehensive spectrum program treats the body, emotions, and spirit of addiction. Men participate in licensed therapy, individual and group counseling, trauma-informed treatment, and get exposure to long-term residential programming that goes well beyond detox.
Our recovery and wellness planning helps men develop healthy recovery lifestyles. This involves building a healthy routine, developing skills at work, and establishing firm support systems that extend well beyond their stay with us. Understanding how long alcohol recovery takes is essential for setting realistic expectations and maintaining motivation throughout the journey.
Naltrexone represents a powerful tool in addiction recovery, but it's not a complete solution by itself. If you're ready to take the next step toward lasting recovery, we invite you to reach out to St. Christopher's Addiction Wellness Center. Our comprehensive approach combines proven medications like naltrexone with the community support, therapy, and long-term care that create real, sustainable change. Learning effective ways to prevent relapse is a crucial component of any successful recovery plan.
Call us today to schedule a free assessment. At St. Christopher's, we're not just helping you quit substances. We're helping you rebuild a life worth staying sober for, surrounded by the support and tools you need for lasting success.
1. What does naltrexone do for alcohol use?
It blocks the brain’s reward system response to alcohol, making drinking less satisfying and helping reduce cravings.
2. Can I still drink while taking naltrexone?
Yes, but you won’t feel the same “buzz.” Drinking alcohol on naltrexone usually feels flat and less pleasurable.
3. Is naltrexone safe to take long-term?
Yes. Many people stay on naltrexone for months or years if needed. It’s non-addictive and generally well tolerated.
4. How long does naltrexone stay in your system?
The oral version lasts about 24–36 hours. The injectable form (Vivitrol) is effective for 30 days.
5. Do I need to detox before starting naltrexone?
Yes. You must be opioid-free for 7–10 days to avoid withdrawal symptoms when starting naltrexone. Your provider will guide you.