Does Naltrexone Help With Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal can be uncomfortable: it's the process of safely removing alcohol from your system after a long period of abusing the drink. Withdrawal affects around half of people who have an alcohol use disorder (AUD) when they stop, or reduce, how much they consume.

Withdrawal symptoms can be particularly difficult to manage in some cases. For people experiencing severe withdrawal, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is available to alleviate symptoms. Naltrexone is used in MAT for AUD, but only after you have passed through the detox phase. It does not treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

In this article, I explain clearly what naltrexone is and what role it plays in recovery from alcohol addiction.

What Is Naltrexone?

Naltrexone is an FDA-approved drug that works as an opioid antagonist. In the US, it's sold under the brand name Revia. It's used to treat AUD and opioid use disorder and is administered in pill form or as an injectable.

Naltrexone is just one element of treatment for alcohol addiction. It's used in tandem with psychotherapy and holistic activities as part of a comprehensive care plan. Naltrexone shouldn't be taken by anyone under the age of 18 or by anyone experiencing health conditions separate from addiction.

As a medication for AUD, naltrexone is not that common, but its use has increased over the years. According to one study, treatment of AUD with naltrexone tripled from 2015 to 2018, but still only counted for 1.64% of admissions.

How Does Naltrexone Work?

In treatment for AUD, you can only begin taking naltrexone after you've finished a detox program and are no longer physically dependent on alcohol.

Naltrexone works by binding to endorphin receptors in your body, blocking the effects of alcohol. It helps reduce your cravings for alcohol and helps you sustain sobriety as you move forward in treatment. Courses of naltrexone vary, but typically last between three and four months. It is not an addictive substance and doesn't cause its own set of withdrawal symptoms.

For most people in recovery for alcoholism, naltrexone is given in 50 mg pill form, which is taken daily. Injections are also available and are given every four weeks by a physician. Most people report feeling anti-craving effects as soon as 24 hours after the first dose of naltrexone.

Does Naltrexone Have Side Effects?

Yes, there are possible side effects with naltrexone, which include:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Reduced appetite
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Muscle aches
• Problems sleeping
• Toothache

More severe side effects are rare and include liver damage, pneumonia, and depressed mood. Naltrexone does not cause a severe physical reaction when combined with alcohol, but that does not make it a safe combination. Drinking while on naltrexone can strain the liver and may mask how intoxicated you actually are, leading you to drink more than intended.

How Effective Is Naltrexone for Alcohol Addiction?

Multiple studies have confirmed the effectiveness of naltrexone in AUD treatment. One study found that 72% of patients reported significantly less craving for alcohol. Another noted naltrexone reduced the risk of relapse by nearly 40%.

As with any medication, there are genetic and environmental factors that impact how effective naltrexone is.

Genetics. Your genetics not only play a role in how likely you are to develop an AUD, but also in the effectiveness of naltrexone. People who have family members who have successfully recovered from AUD may respond better to the drug.

Relationship with alcohol. Some studies suggest that naltrexone is more effective for people who consume alcohol for its rewarding effects rather than to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Dose. Naltrexone is generally well tolerated, but it's essential that your clinician monitors your dose and frequency of the drug to help alleviate side effects and to ensure that the medication has the desired outcome.

What's the Difference Between MAT and Naltrexone?

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is when FDA-approved medications are used to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, as well as to lower the risk of relapse. Naltrexone is one of the medications used for AUD, often alongside acamprosate and disulfiram.

MAT can be used in detox or during following treatment programs such as residential care and outpatient programs. Naltrexone, however, is only used after you have finished detox. It therefore does not support during alcohol withdrawal — what it does is reduce cravings and keep them at bay once you have removed alcohol from your system and are stable.

As part of integrated treatment, naltrexone can help you abstain from alcohol, build a healthier relationship with the drink, and continue in recovery with greater confidence.

Begin Healing at Regain Hope Detox, Burbank, California

We're a physician-led detox and residential center, and we help you overcome alcohol addiction one day at a time. Our medically supervised programs support you as you recover from alcohol, providing a calm, alcohol-free space to heal. With our residential program, you stay at our center and receive evidence-based therapies, MAT including naltrexone, and rebuild a healthy sense of yourself.

All our treatment is tailored around you, factoring in your circumstance and medical history. Care is delivered by one of our certified, on-site clinicians, and we monitor you 24/7 to ensure your safety and progress.

We work with both individuals and couples, and our care is available in English, Spanish, and Korean.

Hope is within reach. Regain yours today. Contact our admissions team.