Naltrexone Medication Treatment in West Virginia

Many treatment centers in West Virginia offer naltrexone as a form of medication-assisted treatment. However, for naltrexone to be fully effective, it must be part of a comprehensive addiction treatment program.

Medical professionals will only prescribe naltrexone to patients that demonstrate dedication to working towards sobriety. This includes completely changing their mindset by ceasing excuses that may have hindered treatment in the past.

If you or someone you love is considering using naltrexone as part of an addiction treatment program in West Virginia, you should learn more about the benefits and risks

Naltrexone is a prescription medication that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid and alcohol addiction. It comes as an injectable or pill form.

The pill form of naltrexone (known as ReVia or Depade) should be taken at 50 mg once per day. The injectable extended-release form of the medication (known as Vivitrol) is injected at 380 mg intramuscular once per month.

Naltrexone is prescribed by health care providers who are authorized to prescribe medications. Patients are advised to refrain from any opioids for at least  7-10 days before starting naltrexone to decrease any withdrawal symptoms.

For those patients who are switching from methadone to naltrexone, the body must be completely withdrawn from any opioids.

Recovering from opioid or alcohol addiction is not an easy or quick process. But with medications like naltrexone and a variety of addiction treatment options, people can get help while being supported each step of the way.

Naltrexone reduces the cravings for alcohol in individuals that suffer from alcohol use disorder. It is unclear exactly how naltrexone works in the brain to stop alcohol consumption. However, it does appear naltrexone alters the way alcohol affects those who take it.

Using naltrexone might cause adverse side effects, which usually disappear once the body adjusts to the medication. Those who are taking naltrexone and are experiencing side effects should consult their treatment specialist to make changes. Some of the adverse side effects of naltrexone include:

• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Joint or muscle pain
• Mild abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Sleep problems
• Tiredness
• Trouble sleeping

Some more severe side effects of naltrexone include:

• Liver damage- Naltrexone could cause liver damage. It is advised to seek evaluation if experiencing signs or symptoms of liver disease.
• Injection site reactions- This can occur from injecting naltrexone. It is recommended to seek an evaluation for worsening skin reactions.
• Allergic pneumonia- Naltrexone could cause allergic pneumonia. It is suggested to seek an evaluation if experiencing signs and symptoms of pneumonia.

Always communicate with your healthcare or addiction treatment provider regarding possible side effects before starting naltrexone. This helps in clarifying any questions or concerns regarding taking naltrexone.

Naltrexone can cause harmful side effects when mixed with other meds like prescribed and over-the-counter supplements or herbal remedies. Some conventional medicines that counteract with naltrexone include:

• Disulfiram
• Methadone
• Opioids
• Specific medications for diarrhea, cough, and pain
• Thioridazine

It is crucial to keep a list of all medications you take and talk with your physician about drug interactions from using naltrexone. Get help immediately when experiencing any adverse side effects of using naltrexone.

Medications for Addictions

Otherwise known as “medication-assisted treatment (MAT), naltrexone may be given as part of a more extensive medication therapy program for an individual. Naltrexone is part of comprehensive treatment that also encompasses several forms of therapy to treat addiction.

Medication-assisted programs are often part of a long-term recovery strategy. Long after a person leaves an addiction treatment facility, they can continue to take medications for addictions.

Where Can I Get Naltrexone?

The right way to inquire into naltrexone is by contacting your primary care provider and see if they offer Vivitrol injections or the pill form of naltrexone. If they don’t prescribe you Vivitrol doses, they might offer to prescribe naltrexone pills.

Another way is by using the Vivitrol website to find a provider. If you’re enlisted in residential treatment or an intensive outpatient program, your counselor might have a record of providers that offer Vivitrol.

To take Vivitrol safely, opioid use must stop 7 to 10 days before the injection. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about your interest in Vivitrol well in advance. Hence, there’s enough time to discontinue opioid use, and your doctor will have time to obtain the medication.

Common Questions About Naltrexone

There are three brand names of naltrexone, ReVia, Vivitrol, and Depade.

Both ReVia and Depade are pill forms of naltrexone that can be taken daily at home or in front of your healthcare professional. ReVia and Depade can be used to treat opioid and alcohol addiction.

The dosage received is based on your current medical condition. Your doctor will probably start you at a lower dose of ReVia and monitor you for any side effects before increasing your dose. This medication is most effective when it’s taken at the same time daily.

Vivitrol is the injectable form of naltrexone that is administered monthly. Vivitrol can be used for individuals suffering from either opioid or alcohol use disorder.

The pill form of naltrexone (ReVia or Depade) offers more control over an individual’s recovery. It’s also much easier to administer since its a pill that can be taken at home. However, Vivitrol only needs to be administered every four weeks. This can be more convenient for someone who doesn’t want to have to worry about taking medication daily.

Is Vivitrol addictive?

Luckily, Vivitrol is a non-addictive medication that carries a low risk of abuse. The drug doesn’t cause euphoria and won’t get the user high. Even if Vivitrol did get people high, it would rarely be abused due to its access being so strictly monitored.

While medicated addiction treatment methods are questionable, Vivitrol doesn’t carry the same risks as other medications that are used to treat opioid and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Users cannot abuse or get high on Vivitrol to the same extent as methadone or Suboxone.

What’s the difference between Vivitrol and Sublocade?

The downside of Vivitrol is that you can’t start it right away. The patient must wait 7-10 days before using the medication. Therefore, Vivitrol is ideal with residential treatment programs. If the patient has already been clean a couple of weeks during rehab, Vivitrol is the right choice.

Vivitrol is also better accepted by the recovery community because it is a non-narcotic.

Sublocade works excellent for the opioid-addicts living on their own. It is common for opioid addict patients to maintain their work and home life while using the medication. Sublocade is a better option for people who can’t leave their careers and families for weeks and months to attend rehab.

Concerning the recovery community, the speculation about Suboxone and Sublocade is changing. These drugs are starting to be accepted as part of a new recovery tool.

What’s the difference between Vivitrol and Suboxone?

Vivitrol and Suboxone both help to reduce cravings and defend against relapse. But, Vivitrol might be harder to start because it requires at least 7-10 days of opioid abstinence. When deciding between either drug to reduce opioid use: Suboxone is the more suitable choice during outpatient treatment, while both Vivitrol and Suboxone will fare similarly during inpatient treatment.

Neither of these medications is a cure. More than half of the people who used them had relapsed during the six-month trial. Therefore, more research is required with recovery support services that can be combined with these prescription meds to enhance their outcomes.