Naltrexone and Alcoholism

Alcoholism: medically defined as a disease

According to Wikipedia, alcoholism is a disabling addictive disorder characterized by compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol despite its negative effects on the drinker’s health, relationships, and social standing. Alcoholism is a chronic disease just like other drug addictions or blood hypertension, diabetes or arthritis are diseases. Chronic means that it lasts for a long time and causes the problems again and again. Alcoholism is a treatable disease. The main goal of treatment for alcoholism in Europe and UK is to stop drinking alcohol. It is a difficult task, because most people who used to abuse alcohol still often feel a strong desire for alcohol even after they stop drinking. There are few different types of treatment for alcohol addiction are available nowadays. One of them is naltrexone program.

Naltrexone program for alcohol adiction

The mechanism of action of naltrexone in alcoholism is not completely understood. It is thought that endogenous opioid system is involved in mechanism of creation of alcohol dependence. Naltrexone, being a full opioid receptor antagonist, competitively binds to such receptors and blocks the effects of endogenous opioids. Some scientists believe it works by affecting the neural pathways in the brain where the neurotransmitter dopamine is found. Numerous clinical studies have shown that treatment with naltrexone implant supports abstinence, reduces craving for alcohol, prevents relapse, helps people stay sober for a long time. This medicine is not a complete cure for alcoholism, but it can help alcoholics stop drinking while they get any other recommended treatments. Like most pharmaceutical treatment programs for alcohol and drug abuse, Naltrexone therapy works best if it is used in connection with an overall treatment regime, such as psychosocial therapy, counseling and support group participation. Naltrexone is primarily used in the management of alcohol dependence and opioid addiction in Europe. Naltrexone hydrochloride is available as the brand name Revia and Depade. In April 2006, the FDA approved a time-extended (once-a-month) injectible form of Naltrexone under the name of vivitrol for the treatment of alcohol addiction. Several studies demonstrated that the monthly injection form of Naltrexone was more effective in maintaining abstinence over the pill form, because it excludes the problem of medication compliance. In form of tablets Naltrexone is usually prescribed to be taken once a day. Generally, it is prescribed for 3 months to help those people who have stopped drinking to reduce their craving for alcohol during the early days of recovery when the risk of a relapse is the highest. Naltrexone is not aversive therapy, so it does not cause a disulfiram-like reaction in case of ethanol ingestion. The combination of naltrexone and disulfiram , a drug that is also used for naltrexone alcohol abuse treatment as an aversive therapy, may cause increased liver toxicity and liver damage when taken together. This combination with disulfiram should be avoided or at least be discussed with a doctor and approved for short-term use. If you are looking for an affordable naltrexone program for alcohol addiction naltrexone implant price is very affordable in Serbia.

Naltrexone side effects

Results of many medical trials demonstrated that the side effects of naltrexone appear to be similar in both alcoholic and opioid dependent cases, and that they are usually short-lived and mild. The most common side effect is nausea. The other less common naltrexone side effects are dizziness, insomnia, headache, anxiety, nervousness, drowsiness. People who have acute hepatitis, liver or kidney disease should not take naltrexone implant clinic European rehabilitation treatment. Because naltrexone affects brain areas where narcotics and alcohol work, any narcotics, such as codeine, morphine or heroin must not be taken while you are on naltrexone. Any cough medicine containing codeine in it must be avoided. Naltrexone can cause or worsen withdrawal symptoms in people who are taking opiates or opioid containg medications. All opioids must be completely excluded in 7 to 10 days before naltrexone treatment starts. However in case of pain management non-narcotic pain relievers can be effectively used without restriction while a person is on naltrexone treatment. Naltrexone is likely to have little impact on other medications patients commonly use such as antibiotics, sedatives, allergy medications. Because naltrexone is metabolized by the liver, other medications that affect liver function may affect the dose of naltrexone. Naltrexone usually has no euphoric or any other psychological effect and the patients are not getting either “high” or “down” while they are on naltrexone. Naltrexone is not addictive medication. Naltrexone therapy research and news: naltrexone does not cause physical dependence and it can be stopped at any time without withdrawal symptoms. While it does seem to reduce alcohol craving, it does not interfere with the experience of other types of pleasure. People who are on Naltrexone are advised to carry a card explaining that they are under naltrexone protection and to instruct their physicians on pain management. In case of going to have optional surgery, Naltrexone intake should be stopped at least 72 hours beforehand. If naltrexone is well tolerated and the patient is successful in staying abstain from alcohol, the recommended initial course of treatment is 3 months. During that time the patient and the doctor should evaluate the need to continue treatment on the basis of degree of improvement and degree of continued concerns about relapse. Alcoholism is both physical and mental disease. Both body and mind must be treated. To achieve the best result to overcome an addiction we recommend complex therapy combining medicine and psychosocial treatments. These drug addiction treatments are supposed to help you to change your behavior and cope with your problems without using alcohol. There is a range of available psychosocial treatments such as counseling, family therapy, group therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and in-hospital treatment. In-hospital treatment, to our professional opinion, is the most effective method of treatment ( particularly in initial stage of treatment) due to possibility of using special medical techniques and apparatuses to restore chemical imbalance in the brain of an addict and thus to create a good ground for the next steps in a process of successful recovery.