What to learn more about the opiate blocker Naltrexone or about the Naltrexone Implant? Opiate addiction is an urgent health issue that’s commanded the attention of everyone from health professionals to politicians. In the last decade, opiate addiction has risen to epidemic proportions. Speak to a adviser by calling our 24hr helpline 1-714-443-8218 – The statistics are alarming:

• Deaths from prescription opiate overdose have quadrupled since 1999.
• It’s estimated that 2.1 million people in the United States are abusing opiate painkillers, and that’s probably a conservative estimate.
• Heroin users may relapse 8 to 10 times before quitting the drug for good. While relapse isn’t a failure, it can be deadly.
• Drug overdoses now outnumber vehicle accidents as a cause of accidental deaths among Americans.
• It’s estimated that 212,000 people used heroin for the first time in the last month.
• The number of opiate prescriptions in the United States has gone from about 76 million in 1991 to about 207 million in 2013. That number has likely gone up.

Bottom line, we are dealing with a deadly, destructive health crisis that no one is immune from. People are not only living in the midst of devastating addiction, they are dying. Anyone can become addicted to opiates, from adolescents to the elderly. Something must be done.

No one would argue this, but there are differing opinions as to how that should happen. Over the last few years we’ve seen some changes to the way opiate painkillers are prescribed, but this doesn’t do much for people who are currently addicted — it’s merely a preventative measure. And, it seems to have contributed to the rise in heroin addiction numbers. Quality treatment is important, but opiate addiction is powerful, and long-term recovery doesn’t happen overnight. Relapse is common, but it only takes one time to overdose and die. We need solutions that can save lives, right now.

How Does Naltrexone Provide A Solution?

Medication for opiate addiction is nothing new. Methadone has been a part of opiate addiction treatment for decades, and it’s saved lives. Methadone is opiate replacement, and can be used as a temporary replacement for opiates that can be tapered down over time, with quitting the end result. It’s also used as methadone maintenance. In other words, people stay on methadone for years, in some cases for life. This is the harm reduction model of drug treatment. The idea is to minimize the risk of addiction and opiate use. Suboxone is another opiate replacement.

A combination of medical detox and addiction treatment is the most common way for people to fight opiate addiction. Getting through detox and physical dependence is the first hurdle. Fear of getting sick is a big barrier to quitting for most people. Once this phase of opiate addiction recovery is completed, the next step is to address the psychological aspect of addiction. This is a longer process, and is even more difficult than getting past physical dependence. Countless people get all the way through detox and successfully withdraw from opiates only to relapse. This isn’t about physical addiction, this is about the compulsion to use opiates, and it’s psychological. Treatment is possible, but the person must remain free of opiates long enough to overcome this powerful addiction.

Naltrexone may provide a solution for this problem. Keeping the opiate addict from using long enough to recover from their addiction isn’t easy, but Naltrexone might just be what makes the difference. To learn more about using Naltrexone Implants or to schedual a consultation call 1-714-443-8218

 

What Is Naltrexone, And How Does It Work?

Naltrexone is an opiate blocker. It is a synthetic drug similar to morphine, but doesn’t get the person high. An opiate blocker reduces cravings for opiates and blocks the effects of opiates. If a person who is taking Naltrexone takes an opiate drug like oxycodone or heroin, they will not experience the euphoric effect that they normally would. Naltrexone is used as part of a treatment program to keep people in recovery from opiate addiction abstinent from the drugs. It is also used in the treatment of alcohol addiction.

Will Naltrexone Make The Person Sick If They Use Drugs While Taking It?

No, they won’t experience any effects, and they won’t get “high” from the drug.

Does Naltrexone Cure Opiate Addiction?

Naltrexone isn’t a “cure” for addiction. The person who receives Naltrexone treatment must be willing to take the medication and comply with treatment. It is effective in helping people deal with the intense cravings that are associated with opiate addiction, and by muting the effects of opiates, makes relapsing and using unattractive, as there is no “reward.”

Is Naltrexone Addictive?

No. It is not addictive and it does not produce physical dependence. Most people do not notice any effect at all from the medication.

Are There Any Drawbacks To Naltrexone?

One potential drawback is that people who are taking it may not continue with other treatment. Because it blocks the effects of opiates and reduces cravings, people taking it will find it much easier to remain abstinent from opiates. However, the addiction is still there, and when the Naltrexone is stopped, relapse could occur. It’s important to continue with treatment, counseling and other recovery activities, to ensure that the psychological addiction to opiates is overcome.

Another drawback to Naltrexone is compliance. The individual must commit to taking the medication daily in order for it to be effective. Although it does diminish cravings, it does not guarantee that the person won’t have an urge to use. Because it is a daily medication, the individual can stop taking it at any time. Once the medication is stopped, its effects wear off, and if the person uses they will experience the full effects of the drug.

Naltrexone Implants May Be The Answer

One way to increase the success rate of Naltrexone is to administer the medication via implants placed under the skin. These implants release the medication slowly, and eliminate the need for the individual to take doses daily. This reduces the chances of relapse greatly.

The implants release the medication over a period of two months. At the end of this period, the individual can be evaluated to determine whether they should have a new implant. It’s highly recommended that the person be actively involved in other forms of treatment, such as addiction rehab, outpatient rehab and twelve step groups.

Getting Help For Opiate Addiction

It’s important to seek help for opiate addiction from a qualified addiction rehab. This includes both detox and addiction treatment. Broadway Treatment Center is an award-winning addiction treatment program in Orange County California that can help you overcome your addiction to opiates. Call 1-714-443-8218 to get help today.