How Naltrexone Implants Work for Alcohol & Opioid Addiction

Opioid and alcohol use disorders are a growing concern in the United States, especially with the rise in overdose deaths. In 2021 alone, 107,622 drug-involved overdose deaths were reported in the country, and opioids accounted for 80,816. In the same year, there were over 52,000 alcohol-induced deaths in the US.

The increase in substance abuse and overdose cases indicates the need for addiction maintenance treatments. While traditional treatments for opioid and alcohol use disorder do a great job of helping people get off of drugs, they do little to prevent overdose cases. Once a recovering addict leaves the treatment facility, they may face triggers that can result in relapse and overdose.

That's why many medical institutes worldwide are still trying to find innovative ways to enhance the convenience and chances of long-term sobriety. Naltrexone implants are one such innovative treatment option. These implants provide long-term maintenance from alcohol and opioids by reducing the risk of cravings and relapse.

What are Naltrexone Implants?

Naltrexone implants are small pellets that contain the medication naltrexone. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist medication that blocks the effects of opioids and alcohol on the brain, thus helping manage cravings.

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The principle behind this medication-assisted treatment is that if someone can't feel the desired effect of drugs, they won't be motivated to use them. Over time, the positive association with opioids or alcohol will fade, and temptations won't be present.

When the implant is inserted under the skin, it slowly releases Naltrexone into the body over several weeks to months. This extended release can help reduce cravings for opioids or alcohol and prevent relapse. In some cases, it can also help curb opioid overdose cases.

Naltrexone implants have shown promising results in treating alcohol and opioid addiction, mainly when used in conjunction with other forms of evidence-based treatment, like medication, counseling, and support groups. This holistic approach addresses substance use disorders and the mental health aspect.

How Naltrexone Implants Work for Alcohol and Opioid Addiction

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist medication that works by blocking the opioid receptors in the brain. The implants provide a constant level of medication in the body, which can help to keep the opioid receptors blocked and reduce the risk of relapse.

Naltrexone implants have several advantages as they:

Are safe and effective when used as directed.
Are not addictive, meaning you can stop using them at any time without withdrawal effects.
Provide a sustained level of medication over several months. This can be particularly helpful when someone relapses, as they'll still have the implant protection.
Lower the chances of forgetting or purposefully avoiding taking prescriptions to drink alcohol or use opioids.
Readily binds to opioid receptors.
Provide ample time for the brain to rewire and heal from the damages caused by long-term alcohol or opioid use.

Weakness of Naltrexone Treatment

Despite the advantages of Naltrexone, there are some downsides as well. These include:

Need for detox – the treatment can only begin after alcohol or drugs have been cleared from the body. This may take about 7-10 days. Starting the treatment before detox may lead to intense and persistent withdrawal.
Potential side effects, which we'll discuss below.
Some sources cite the lack of consistency in the manufacturing of different implants available in the market. As such, some might break up rather than dissolve over time.

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How Are Naltrexone Implants Administered?

Naltrexone implants are small, sterile pellets implanted under the skin in a minor surgical procedure. The procedure is usually done in an outpatient setting, meaning you won't need to stay overnight in a hospital.

First, a healthcare professional will clean and numb the area where the implant will be inserted. This is done with a local anesthetic, so you'll be awake during the procedure but won't feel any pain.

Next, the healthcare professional will make a small incision in your lower abdomen skin. They'll then insert the naltrexone implant into the pocket they've created under the skin and close the incision using stitches or adhesive strips. They will also apply a sterile dressing to the area to protect it as it heals.

The procedure usually takes about 20 minutes or less you can go home the same day.

Side Effects of Naltrexone Implants

Naltrexone is generally safe. But like any medication, it can cause side effects. Here are some of the potential side effects of naltrexone implant:

Pain, swelling, or redness at the implant site
Infection at the implant site
Bleeding or bruising at the implant site
Itching or rash at the implant site
Nausea or vomiting, headache or dizziness
Diarrhea
Anxiety or nervousness
Fatigue or weakness
Liver problems
Allergic reactions

It's important to note that these side effects are usually mild and temporary, and most people tolerate the medication well. However, if you experience severe or persistent side effects, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.

If you have any medical conditions or take other medications, inform your healthcare provider before starting a naltrexone implant to ensure it's safe and effective for you.

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Starting Naltrexone Treatment

Before starting Naltrexone, you must undergo an assessment to ensure you're suited for treatment. A good candidate for Naltrexone treatment would typically meet the following criteria:

Remain at risk of relapse without treatment
Have completed a detoxification program and have been opioid- or alcohol-free for at least 7-10 days
Used low doses of opioids or for a short time
Have a solid motivation to stop using opioids or alcohol
Are currently using other forms of evidence-based medications but would like to switch to Naltrexone
Have previously relapsed with other MAT treatments, like buprenorphine-naloxone or methadone

Naltrexone implants are a cutting-edge treatment for addiction to opioids, heroin, and alcohol. But the FDA has not approved the implantable version of Naltrexone for use in America. The treatment is only available in Europe and Australia. Still, many centers offer other forms of Naltrexone, which also offer long-term maintenance.

For more details about Naltrexone, reach out to More Than Rehab today.

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How Medication-Assisted Treatment Can Aid Addiction Recovery

Addiction to drugs or alcohol can cause long-term changes to the structure and functioning of the brain. These changes make it hard for someone to quit using despite the harm it causes. Even in addiction recovery, people can experience relapses due to cravings - it's why addiction is often referred to as a relapsing disease.

The reason is that repeated substance abuse causes the brain to build much stronger connections between the substance and associated cues or triggers. Cues can be feelings, things, places, or people that make them want to use substances again.

Understanding how these substances affect the brain and the body is critical to understanding how medication-assisted treatment (MAT) works. This article will discuss how MAT can help addiction recovery and relapse prevention. But first, let's ensure we're on the same page.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a type of treatment that helps people struggling with addiction overcome their dependence. It combines FDA-approved medications, such as opioid antagonists and pain relievers, with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide short-term relief from cravings and long-term recovery support.

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By combining pharmacological interventions with evidence-based therapies, MAT offers a comprehensive approach to addiction recovery, offering people the best chance of successful long-term sobriety.

MAT is used to treat various substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder and opioid addiction. It can also prevent or reduce opioid overdose. The medication normalizes brain chemistry, normalizes body functions, relieves physiological cravings, and blocks the euphoric effects of substances. And since everyone is different, the clinically driven program is customized to meet each patient's needs.

How Does MAT Work?

MAT works by reducing cravings and providing a "safety net" that helps people recovering from addiction stay away from drugs or alcohol. It's important to understand that MAT medications are not a magic cure for addiction but rather a tool to help individuals recover.

MAT works by targeting the reward circuitry of the brain. The reward pathways make us feel good when we engage in certain behaviors, like eating sweet foods or taking drugs. MAT medications help reduce cravings by targeting the same brain pathways responsible for our drug-seeking behavior.

For instance, MAT medications like buprenorphine can reduce the reward we feel from taking opiates and make it easier to resist cravings. Other MAT medications, like naltrexone, can block the receptors in our brains that would usually be activated by opiates or alcohol. This helps reduce cravings and the euphoric effects of drug or alcohol use.

MAT medications can also help restore balance in our brain chemistry that has been altered by substance use. This can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, allowing people to focus on therapy, healthy lifestyle changes, and other components of their recovery program.

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How Effective Are MAT Medications in Addiction Recovery?

MAT medications can be a powerful tool in addiction recovery. When used as part of an integrated treatment plan, MAT has been found to:

Reduce cravings
Decrease drug use
Prevent overdoses
Decrease the risk of relapse
Improve the quality of life of individuals in addiction recovery
Reprogram the brain
Readjust imbalances in hormones and neurotransmitters
Prevent the spread of infectious diseases like HIV

While it's hard to pinpoint a single seminal paper in the field, there's a substantial body of evidence that speaks to the efficacy of MAT. For instance, one study found that opioid overdose deaths were reduced as buprenorphine became more popular in Baltimore. Another review paper found that Methadone can keep those dependent on heroin in treatment programs and reduce their use of heroin.

Limitations of Medication as a Sole Approach

MAT medication can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms but cannot address the underlying issues that contribute to the addiction. Mental health, trauma, and lifestyle issues may have been a factor in the person's development of a habit, and these cannot be addressed through medication alone.

For this reason, MAT should be used as part of an integrated treatment plan that includes counseling, behavioral therapies, and ongoing support structures - like 12-step programs, sober living arrangements, etc. The word "assisted" in medication-assisted treatment emphasizes that medications are only one part of the overall treatment plan.

MAT Medication

The FDA has approved several medications for the treatment of addiction. The most common types are:

Opioid Use Disorders Medications

Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone are used to treat opioid dependency. These MAT medications work for opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which activates the same brain receptors as opioids but with a much lower intensity.
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, meaning that it blocks the effects of opioids.
Methadone works differently than other MAT medications by binding to opioid receptors and blocking the effects of other opioids.

Alcohol Use Disorders Medications

Acamprosate, Disulfiram, and Naltrexone are used to treat alcohol use disorders.

Acamprosate balances the body's natural chemicals that are disrupted by alcohol.
Disulfiram makes people who drink alcohol feel more nauseous and develop other unpleasant symptoms.
Naltrexone blocks the effects of alcohol in the brain.

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Opioid Overdose Prevention Medication

Naloxone is used to treat opioid overdoses. It works by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain and reversing an overdose. Naloxone is available in a nasal spray and can be used by family members or friends to treat an overdose.

While prescribed medications can be a powerful tool in addiction recovery, they are only one piece of the puzzle. MAT should be combined with therapy, lifestyle changes, and other strategies to achieve maximum success in recovery. With the right approach, MAT can provide an effective and safe pathway to recovery.

Find MAT Treatment

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, exploring MAT medications as part of your treatment options may be helpful. Many substance use treatment centers offer MAT-based health services. At More Than Rehab, we offer MAT treatment as part of our primary care model. Our doctors, nurses, and counselors work together to provide personalized care and the best possible outcomes for each patient.