Naltrexone Therapy

RDD Center gives the patient the choice of Naltrexone Therapy in 3 different dosage forms….. We offer a Naltrexone Subcutaneous Pellet/Implant. This small 'pill sized pellet' is placed just under the skin in the lower abdomen, at the time the patient is under anesthesia. The Naltrexone implant/pellet will release the opiate blocking medication, as it completely dissolves and disappears over a 2 month period. We also offer a sustained release injectable "IM" shot that will release the medication over a 1 month period. Another choice is the daily oral "pill form" of Naltrexone which every patient will receive a 6 month prescription to continue taking Naltrexone if they choose. Naltrexone is FDA approved as an opiate blocking medication, (not to be confused with Suboxone/Subutex; Buprenorphine, which are opiates). Naltrexone is non addicting, not an opiate and does not cause withdrawal in any way. Naltrexone is recommended as part of the RDD Center's aftercare program for rapid anesthesia detox, as it helps to reduce cravings and prevents any feeling from an ingested opiate by blocking the uptake of an opiate drug on the opiate receptors. Naltrexone has a very strong binding affinity to the opiate receptors and once the anesthesia detox procedure is completed a small pellet/implant of Naltrexone can be placed just under the skin in the lower abdomen while still under anesthesia or they can choose the intramuscular injection or the daily pill form of Naltrexone.

Only Methadone and Subutex/Suboxone patients are required to have the Naltrexone Pellet/Implant or the 30 day time released Naltrexone Injection due to the extreme length of time these type of opiates remain in the body fat, liver, etc. The Naltrexone Pellet/Implant or the Naltrexone Injection will constantly be releasing the blocking medication, unlike a pill that must be taken every day. This will ensure that the residual Methadone will not reattach to the clean opiate receptors which would happen if a patient were to forget a daily pill.

Rapid Drug Detox Center recommends the 2 month dissolvable Naltrexone Pellet/Implant or the 1 month sustained release injectable rather than the pill form because it provides a precise and continuous dosage of the opiate blocking medication. If the patient were to use opiates while medicated with Naltrexone, they would not experience the effects of the drug. An opiate cannot attach to the opiate receptors due to Naltrexone occupying the opiate receptors as a blocking agent. Naltrexone is not an opiate, is non-addictive and does not cause withdrawal when stopped and the medication and has very few side effects.

The Naltrexone Pellet/Implant will entirely dissolve and disappear in 2 months. The Naltrexone Injectable will last for 1 month. The pill form of Naltrexone is taken once daily. We strongly encourage the use of Naltrexone with either the placement of the small medicated pellet/implant or the injectable form at the time of the anesthesia detoxification procedure. This will ensure the patient has continuous protection without having to worry about taking a pill everyday and the family members will not have to worry about the patient's compliance.

Rapid Drug Detox Center recommends the Naltrexone medication to be continued for a full year to ensure long term sobriety which gives the patient the best chance for learning how to deal with life without opiates. Whichever form of Naltrexone the patient chooses, they will be given a prescription for oral Naltrexone for at least 1 year, which they can get from their local pharmacy.

Naltrexone Therapy has been a major reason for many of our patient's continued success. Some of our patients will come back every 1 to 2 months for another implant or injection. Patients like the security this provides. Most are amazed at the lack of cravings for opiates while using Naltrexone. Another benefit our patients may find when taking Naltrexone; it may reduce the cravings for sweet high-fat foods such as cookies, chocolate, cake and ice cream may be less desirable.

Naltrexone Therapy can only be started when a person has been detoxed under anesthesia and 'clean' from all opiates. Use of Naltrexone while actively using an opiate or still experiencing withdrawal would cause extreme pain and suffering for the patient. New patients wanting just Naltrexone Therapy must detox 'cold turkey' on their own and have remained off of all opiates for 10-60 days or longer, depending on the specific opiate use. These patients are very few because most cannot endure the suffering of a 'cold turkey' detox and find it hard to stay 'clean' for the required time.