Overcoming opioid addiction can be incredibly challenging since withdrawal symptoms and cravings can be severe for some people. Getting the support of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can make all the difference in your recovery. Medications—like naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone—can address withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings that often interfere with healing and lead to relapse. Find a trusted medication-assisted detox center to inquire about naltrexone for withdrawal from opioids.
If intense opioid cravings make it difficult for you to stay on track for recovery, reach out to the team at Promises Brazos Valley. Our staff offers medication-assisted treatment such as naltrexone for detox to help calm those stubborn cravings so you can achieve your goals for an opioid-free life. Call us today at 979.426.0086 to learn how our staff uses naltrexone for withdrawal in our MAT programs.
How Does Naltrexone for Withdrawal Work?
Naltrexone is a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication used to treat opioid addiction. Rehab specialists can also use it to treat alcohol dependence. As an opioid antagonist, naltrexone attaches to opioid receptors in the brain. It blocks the effects of opioids like heroin and morphine, which can benefit people trying to stop using these drugs. Since it blocks the effects of opioids, you will not experience the usual euphoric effects of these drugs when you use them. Without the reinforcement of euphoria, the desire to use lessens, and your cravings will fade over time.
Opioid cravings are part of withdrawal from these powerful drugs, but they are not the only symptom. To address all critical areas of your life for proper recovery from opioids, you will likely need a combination of medications, therapies, and support from professionals and loved ones.
How Is Naltrexone for Detox Administered?
If you receive naltrexone treatment for opioid addiction, it will be administered in one of two ways: tablet or injection. If you are prescribed naltrexone tablets, your doctor will advise you to take your medication on one of the following schedules:
- One tablet daily
- Two tablets every other day
- Three tablets every three days
- One tablet on weekdays and two tablets on Saturdays
If you are prescribed injectable naltrexone, you will receive an intramuscular injection monthly. This naltrexone shot must be administered in your doctor’s office or at your treatment facility.
Can You Use Naltrexone for Withdrawal Symptoms?
Naltrexone is designed to reduce opioid cravings by blocking the euphoric effects of opioids. It is not the same as a partial opioid agonist like buprenorphine, so it does not create euphoria. Without this effect, you can still experience other withdrawal symptoms, like:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Depression
Although naltrexone can be essential to your treatment plan, it should not be the sole component. To help you manage withdrawal discomfort, you should talk to your provider about other medications that your treatment team can use with naltrexone to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
What You Need to Know Before Trying Naltrexone for Withdrawal
Naltrexone treatment may not be the best option for everyone. You must abstain from opioid use for seven to 10 days before taking your first naltrexone dose. Beginning a naltrexone regimen before this window can result in severe opioid withdrawal symptoms. You should speak with your provider about other options if you cannot abstain from opioids for that duration.
Try Naltrexone for Detox at Promises Brazos Valley
Quitting opioids or alcohol can be difficult. But you do not have to try to quit without support. The caring professionals at Promises Brazos Valley are here to guide you every step of the way through your recovery. Contact us today at 979.426.0086 to learn how we use naltrexone for withdrawal alongside other medications and therapies so you receive practical and well-rounded treatment.