Can Naltrexone make you feel high?
No, you can’t. Although Naltrexone is made from poppy seed and is chemically an opioid, it is not capable of causing any opioid effects or sensations. On the contrary, Naltrexone is a total opioid antagonist.
This means that it binds tightly to opioid receptors in the human brain blocking them, read: protects the body from the effect of opiate drugs. In such a way, the blocker does not allow opioid agonists, such as heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone, buprenorphine to enter the receptors. Therefore, it does not allow other drugs to affect an opiate user, as it was without Naltrexone. There is no heroin high, and any reason for using heroin and other opiates goes away. At the same time, the interest, the cravings, the obsessive-compulsive urge to take drugs, disappear.
From all mentioned above, Naltrexone is not addictive, and you can stop taking it or renewing the implant abruptly, without any withdrawal symptoms. In this way, Naltrexone differs favorably from the substitution of Methadone, Suboxone, Substidol, which intake may not be interrupted.
Naltrexone Vs. Opioid drugs
Opioid medications lead to even greater physical dependence than heroin, after all. Abrupt ceasing of taking methadone, Subutex, suboxone, oxycontin causes unbearable agony. These are severe withdrawal symptoms with severe pain, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, depression, agitation, and even psychosis. Withdrawal symptoms from methadone may take a few weeks without medical treatment. Heroin users who had been able to go through heroin withdrawals cold turkey, cannot endure two days without methadone or other long-acting opioids and require serious medical treatment.
Naltrexone, on the other hand, maintains real sober abstinence, does not lead to overdose, does not cause physical or mental dependence, and can be painlessly discontinued on any given day.
However, for those patients who have responsibly decided to start a life without heroin, and maintain long-term continuous abstinence without any opioids, there are specially designed subcutaneous Naltrexone long-acting implants (Depone Naltrex-12 Pellet Naltrex) for 12 months.
What to avoid when taking Naltrexone?
Most importantly, do not take any opiates or opioids! Firstly, they will not have a familiar effect. As it happens, opioid pain killers prescribed by a doctor will not be effective. Therefore, only non-opioid analgesics, local or total anesthesia may be used if necessary.
Secondly, opioid use over Naltrexone is a huge risk. There are known cases of heroin overdoses and even fatal outcomes. That happens when addicts continue experimenting with the drug after they had already received a blocker. Not being able to feel the usual heroin buzz from a small dose, they added more and more. Until they override the Naltrexone defense, receiving a sudden heroin overdose with dimming of consciousness, slowing breathing until the lips and skin turned pale and blue. Without urgent medical attention, this can result in death.
That is why the infantile game with heroin “I will have some to get high” is not possible anymore. When starting therapy with Naltrexone, each patient receives this important information. Written consent to comply with the conditions of treatment.
Naltrexone Follow Up
By choosing the treatment of opioid dependence in the form of a subcutaneous Naltrexone implant, you need to know and follow several rules.
Avoid overexertion, pressure and friction of the muscles on the implant.
Especially in the first month after the procedure. This means you must avoid hard physical work, weight lifting, sports, fitness and some other activities. Involving the muscles around the implant irritate the subcutaneous tissue. This may cause reactions to the implant as an unwanted foreign body. For example, allergic reactions and rejection reactions. It's even worse if an infection joins them. Not only will the implant stop performing its function, it will also require long-term treatment.
To avoid such complications, we give detailed written instructions to our patients. We also supply medicines for the prevention of inflammation, allergies, infections. Avoiding drinking alcohol in any quantity is a must! Especially in the first month. By the way, Naltrexone deprives both of the habitual intoxication and the pleasure of alcohol. There is no point in drinking.
