Naltrexone can help some people who are in chronic pain, but it is a very strong drug that needs advisory warnings. Despite the benefits, there are some risks to using this drug. The opioid epidemic occurring in the United States has so many people on edge. The goal right now is to try and find someone who can manage the situation and find a happy medium. Find out more about Naltrexone and where it fits into the opioid crisis.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment refers to behavioral therapy and medication used to treat substance abuse disorder. Naltrexone is a prescription drug that works with behavioral therapy and counseling to support people in need. Combining medication and therapy-based treatment proves the most successful way to treat these disorders. When someone is prescribed naltrexone, they often take it while monitored for safety reasons in a clinic. This keeps people from having issues that are unknown and they can find support and healing with some oversight.
Some Considerations
With some forms of medication-assisted treatment, there is a larger fear that one addiction will replace another. Methadone has been this drug for some time, in that it is so addictive it replaces the drugs the person is in recovery from. The use of methadone and similar opioid medications is supposed to be done carefully. Drug misuse and addiction can still happy. People may question why or why not the drug naltrexone is addictive. It is not addictive because people feel high or euphoric. It is addictive because it blocks opioids and lowers relapse risk but people may transfer addiction just because it is being used frequently over time as a replacement for another drug.
In Summation
Naltrexone can be a valuable resource in the fight against substance use disorder. It may be used in part because of a medication-assisted treatment plan to help people addicted to opioids or alcohol. It is safer since it is not addictive. Naltrexone does not prevent future relapses. It works while a person is using it and can pair it with the best chance for recovery.
It is best to speak with treating physicians and a therapeutic center to see what will work best for a person’s individual situation. It is difficult to quit drugs and alcohol, then have a relapse occur with drug transfer addiction. Learning to navigate the pitfalls of recovery is challenging, but there are people to support the journey who can watch for these things and make sure nothing bad will happen during rehab.
Guest House provides quality care for clients seeking support for addiction recovery. We teach people how to live a sober life through programs, therapeutic support, and evidence-based therapies. Our recovery program is staffed by people who understand the power of addiction. For more information on sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call 855-483-7800.