Naltrexone is an approved medication in the United States that can help with substance abuse and dependence. Initially, for opioid use disorders (OUD), there is also a benefit of naltrexone for alcohol dependence. The naltrexone alcohol relationship is similar to how the medication works for an OUD, and we’ll detail more below.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
First, naltrexone is part of a larger field of medicine called medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, according to the Mental Health Services Administration and Health and Human Services.
- When someone struggles with a substance use disorder, medication-assisted treatment can help them overcome cravings and withdrawal symptoms, improving their likelihood of remaining in a treatment program.
- MAT is not supposed to be used on its own. Addiction is a highly complex chronic disorder affecting behavior, emotions, and mental and physical health. MAT can be one part of treating the disorder.
- Behavioral therapy should be used along with medicines and medical management to take a whole-patient, comprehensive and individualized approach to treating addiction.
- Along with helping someone initially stop using substances as an initial treatment, MAT can promote long-term, sustained recovery.
- The most common use of MAT is in people with opioid use disorders, but people with alcohol use disorders can also benefit.
- Over the past several years, the prescribing ability of health care providers to give MAT has increased significantly.
- For opioid use disorders, in particular, MAT is considered the gold standard treatment approach.
- When someone takes medications, they can reduce uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and help the brain to stabilize.
- Medication-assisted treatments can be used across different environments, including residential rehab and outpatient programs.
An Overview of Alcohol Use Disorders
An alcohol use disorder or AUD is a medical condition. An inability to stop drinking or control your use of alcohol even though there are negative consequences characterizes alcohol use disorders. AUD can broadly include alcohol abuse, addiction, and dependence.
This brain disorder can be mild, moderate, or severe. The long-term changes in the brain stemming from the effects of alcohol can make the risk of relapse high for some people.
Symptoms of an alcohol use disorder can include:
- Frequently drinking more or for longer than you intend.
- Wanting to cut down on alcohol or stop drinking but not being able to.
- Spending a lot of time drinking or recovering from the effects, like hangovers.
- Being focused on how badly you want to drink when you aren’t and experiencing alcohol cravings.
- You experience problems in functionality in your daily life due to drinking.
- Continuing to drink even when it impacts your family and relationships negatively.
- You cut back on or stop doing activities that were once important to you, to drink instead.
- Finding yourself in dangerous situations due to the use of alcohol, like drinking and driving.
- Developing a tolerance and needing to drink more to get the desired effects.
- Withdrawal symptoms occur when you aren’t drinking, like shakiness, nausea, or sweating. Withdrawal can indicate physical dependence.
While treatment of alcohol dependence is very individualized and plans are based on your individual needs, there are usually three categories for alcohol use disorder. Medications like treatment with naltrexone are one category of a possible treatment for AUD.
The next is behavioral treatments, and the third is mutual support groups like a 12-step program. For most people, all three are best.
The Relationship Between Naltrexone and Alcohol
So how does naltrexone work for alcohol?
Many medications for alcohol use disorder make people feel sick after they drink. Naltrexone in alcohol dependence is different.
- Researchers believe it works by changing how the brain responds to drinking.
- There appears to be a release in endorphins when you have something intoxicating, like alcohol.
- Naltrexone blocks the endorphins from binding to receptors so that you won’t feel drunk or experience euphoria from drinking.
You can still have the outward signs of alcohol use, but the pleasure of drinking and the rewarding effects go down significantly through the blockade by naltrexone.
What is Vivitrol?
One of the naltrexone brand names is Vivitrol, and it may be what you hear about most often. Vivitrol is a long-acting injectable naltrexone treatment for alcohol use disorder.
- All forms, including the long-acting naltrexone drug Vivitrol, block the euphoria of central nervous system depressants.
- You take Vivitrol by injection once a month, which helps avoid the issue of noncompliance stemming from taking a daily oral medication. You do have to see a health care provider.
- The extended-release injectable naltrexone is gradually released into your system when you receive Vivitrol.
- The recommended dose is usually 380 mg, taken every four weeks in an alcohol-dependent person.
- Around 14 days after receiving a dose, the concentration of the medication begins to decline gradually, but you’ll continue to have measurable levels in your system.
You can also take oral naltrexone. The oral form of naltrexone doesn’t have to be given by healthcare providers, but you have to remember to take it daily or as instructed.
Can You Drink When You’re on Naltrexone?
If you combine the two, there don’t seem to be any major naltrexone alcohol interactions. The medicine should help you experience a reduced urge to drink and reduce alcohol consumption, if not altogether abstinence.
However, if you were to drink alcohol with a dose of naltrexone, you won’t become very sick like you would with Antabuse.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area
Medication-assisted treatment isn’t for everyone, but it can be highly effective for some when it’s part of a larger treatment plan. The effectiveness of naltrexone for the treatment of alcohol use disorders is good for many people. When the cravings for alcohol go down in response to naltrexone, people can focus more on their treatment and recovery.
Insurance will often cover some or all of the costs of medication-assisted treatment and rehab and behavioral therapy.
Interestingly, there is growing research and current ongoing study on this medicine, not only for patients with alcohol use disorder or opioid disorders. Low-dose naltrexone is being looked at to help with chronic pain and autoimmune disorders and may even have therapeutic effects for some people with cancer.
However, the doses used for immune modulation and other therapeutic effects are much lower than when used for the treatment of alcohol dependence or opioid use disorder.
If you’d like to explore treatment programs in the San Francisco bay area, call Silicon Valley Recovery at 408-547-4089. We offer options to detox, reduce cravings, and treat the underlying causes of your addiction.
