Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder
- - Naltrexone for alcoholism is a prescription medication used to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder.
- - It exists in the form of a tablet, injection and implant.
- - Naltrexone for alcoholism also helps with reducing cravings for alcohol.
According to our patients' experience, implants are proven to be the most effective.
UK Testimonial About the 2nd Alcohol Implant
Naltrexone, an opiate antagonist, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1994 for use in the treatment of alcohol dependence.
The Naltrexone implant is a medication that helps reduce your craving for alcohol when you try to stop drinking. It can support you in staying sober over the long term.
While your doctor has prescribed the Naltrexone implant for alcoholism to help you in giving up alcohol, it is not a complete cure for alcoholism. It works alongside other treatments your doctor may recommend to help you maintain sobriety.
As mentioned before, the medication for alcoholism comes as an extended-release intramuscular injection (Vivitrol or Naltrexone injection) an implant and as oral tablets.
This is a testimonial of a patient from England after their third antialcohol implant.
Naltrexone for Alcoholism
The branded versions of naltrexone tablets (Revia, Depade) have been discontinued. However, generic versions are available.
Naltrexone tablets were first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1984. In 2006, the FDA also approved Vivitrol, the extended-release intramuscular injection form of naltrexone. Naltrexone for alcoholism is used to treat alcohol dependence in terms of reducing or completely eliminating cravings for alcohol
Medical research confirms naltrexone efficiency in alcoholism treatment https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002571250570554X
The period without alcohol use should be 72h while the period without opiate use should be 7 days. The period without long acting opioid use should be 21 days.
National Geographic about Naltrexone for alcoholism
A recent feature in National Geographic highlighted Naltrexone—a decades-old treatment that is shifting the conversation from "all-or-nothing" sobriety to a more manageable, science-based approach.
How It works: breaking the reward loop
Unlike traditional treatments that focus on willpower alone, Naltrexone targets the biology of addiction. By blocking the opioid receptors in the brain, the medication essentially "mutes" the pleasure normally associated with drinking. You can still have a drink, but that addictive "rush" is gone, making it much easier to stop after just one.
A flexible, "Pill-in-the-pocket" solution
One of the most human-centric aspects of Naltrexone is its versatility. It doesn’t require a lifetime commitment to abstinence. Instead, many use it as a targeted treatment:
The "Pill-in-the-pocket": Patients can take the medication only when they anticipate a drinking situation, helping to prevent binge episodes before they start.
Beyond Severe AUD: It’s not just for those in a crisis. It’s becoming a popular tool for "gray area" drinkers—people who may just want to cut back on weekend or social drinking to improve their health.
Why this matters
Think of it as a preventative measure. Just as we treat pre-diabetes to avoid a more serious diagnosis later, Naltrexone allows people to address risky drinking habits early. With a strong safety profile and long-term studies showing reduced cravings for up to six months, it represents a more compassionate, evidence-based path to a healthier relationship with alcohol.
Here is the link to the National Geographic article https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/naltrexone-drink-less-alcohol
