When someone is starting treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) or opioid use disorder (OUD), one viable FDA-approved medication that could be beneficial is naltrexone. Learning how long does naltrexone take to work can be beneficial when deciding if this drug treatment is right for you. At Peachtree Detox near Atlanta, we offer medically supervised detox that includes using naltrexone as part of our comprehensive and personalized treatment plans for AUD and OUD.
Peachtree Detox is a premier provider of addiction treatment services and detox programs in Atlanta, Georgia. If you or someone you love is in need of professional care, reach out to us now.
Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication used to help people struggling with AUD and OUD as part of their individualized care and treatment plan. This medication can be taken daily or given as a monthly injection, depending on the person’s specific needs. The drug can only be prescribed by doctors and administered by medical professionals providing detox treatment.
Naltrexone works by blocking different receptors in the brain that cause people to experience the pleasurable effects of alcohol and opioids. If someone drinks or uses opioids, they will not feel drunk or get high. Since they do not experience any of the pleasurable effects, naltrexone works as a deterrent to drinking or using opioids.
Naltrexone can help you if you have gone through detox and addiction treatment previously for AUD or OUD and relapsed. It can also help you if this is your first time going through detox and addiction treatment. Since the drug effectively blocks the desirable effects of drinking or using opioids, you are less likely to relapse.
When naltrexone is used for AUD, it prevents people from experiencing the pleasurable effects of drinking, such as calmness and relaxation. No matter how much alcohol is consumed, there will be no euphoria. So, really, there is no benefit from drinking.
When naltrexone is used for OUD, it binds to the opioid receptors in the brain and stops any euphoric effects previously experienced. Since these effects are not experienced, there is no benefit from using opioids. The drug also can help reduce cravings for opioids. As a result, people are less likely to relapse.
Before beginning naltrexone treatment, it is vital alcohol and opioids are removed entirely through detox. Generally, naltrexone treatment cannot start until 7 to 14 days after beginning detox. During detox, other FDA-approved medications can be used to aid with withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Once naltrexone treatment begins, it is essential to avoid the following substances:
Naltrexone has certain side effects some people may experience when starting this medication. Some of the more common side effects are:
Usually, these side effects, if experienced, subside after the body adjusts to being on the medication.
Naltrexone also has some serious side effects, including:
If any of these are experienced, it is vital to let the healthcare physician know.
Additionally, there can be side effects should someone relapse and drink or use opioids. With alcohol use while the pleasurable effects are not experienced, alcohol use will still slow cognitive functioning and cause negative effects like hangovers, nausea, and vomiting.
With opioid use, some people may take higher doses to try to offset naltrexone. However, no matter the dosage taken, they will not get high or experience euphoria. The danger here is at higher doses, there is an increased risk of accidental overdose and potential death.
How long naltrexone takes to work depends on whether it is being taken orally or as an injectable. When taken in tablet form daily, the drug starts to work within an hour of taking it. When taken as a monthly injectable, the drug begins to work in about two hours. There is usually a peak in two to three days as the injectable drug’s extended-release formula spreads throughout the body.
The length of time the effects of naltrexone last depends on whether it is taken as a tablet or injectable. The tablet form works for up to 24 hours. So, this is why it needs to be taken daily. The injectable form continues to work for up to a month, with its effects gradually wearing off after two weeks and fully wearing off after 30 days.
Besides naltrexone, some other FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment medications used to treat AUD and OUD are:
When you are ready to break free from addiction to alcohol or opioids, help is available at Peachtree Detox. Our caring and compassionate team offers comprehensive and personalized detox treatment programs, which can include naltrexone. Contact us now to discover the path to a brighter, substance-free future.
Did you know most major health insurance plans with out-of-network benefits can help cover most of the costs associated with our program? Click below to find out your coverage and treatment options for our detox centers in Atlanta, Georgia.
