Treatments for Alcoholism-The Use of Naltrexone

We have traditionally known Naltrexone as a remedy for the treatment of opioid addictions such as treatments for addictions to heroin and like hard drugs.  Drug addicts on Naltrexone medication would not continue experiencing the pleasurable sensations that followed the use of the drugs in question and this as such they were less motivated to continue the use of the drugs.  It has been discovered that Naltrexone has the same effects on those who may be suffering from alcohol addiction.  In as much as the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood, one thing that is known is that alcohol works on the brain just in the same way that opioids do and Naltrexone goes a long way in suppressing the euphoria and the high feelings that follow the use of these drugs and alcohol alike.  The “reward” from the intake of alcohol is never felt by the users when they are on Naltrexone and as such they are less likely to continue the use of the same.

Even though there is such a success history behind the use of Naltrexone for the treatments of alcoholism, when used or taken alone, it doesn’t get to be as sufficient.  Some facts to know of when thinking of the use of Naltrexone to treat alcoholism is that it doesn’t reduce the withdrawal symptoms from the use of the alcohol and does not as well reduce the cravings for the use of the substance.  Generally, Naltrexone will be a lot more effective when it used in combination with the other approaches and forms of treatment to alcoholism and substance abuse such as therapies, medications, the 12 step program and counseling programs.  And it has indeed proved to be most effective when it comes to the cases of alcohol withdrawal.

If at all you are looking at the use of Naltrexone for the treatment of your addiction, you need to beware of the risk of overdose as when used in high quantities, it may result in other health issues such as liver damage as it is absorbed into the body through the liver.  Looking at this fact, it would as such not be as good a treatment option for those addicts to alcohol who may already be suffering from the conditions to the liver such as liver cirrhosis and other damages to the liver.

Just as with any other form of medication and prescription, the use of Naltrexone should only be under the supervision of a physician.  It is best used for those who are still under detox. For more information, click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehabilitation_hospital.