Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, can be used to treat opium addiction just as it can be used to treat addiction to other opioids, both natural and synthetic. Even though the drug is not as well tolerated as other medications, it can be a beneficial treatment for certain individuals.
How Does Naltrexone Work to Treat Opium Addiction?
According to the National Library of Medicine, the drug “works by decreasing the craving for alcohol and blocking the effects of opiate medications and opioid street drugs.” It cannot be taken while a person is still in detoxification because it triggers a withdrawal reaction in any person who is dependent on opioids. This is helpful, though, when an individual is no longer in withdrawal and needs to avoid opium cravings and the possibility of relapse. The drug is long-acting and only needs to be taken three times a week.
Why is There a Low Tolerance Among Addicts?
Naltrexone works best as a post-withdrawal treatment, to eliminate potential drug cravings.
Despite its many perks, naltrexone is not as well tolerated by most addicts as methadone or buprenorphine normally are. This is because it can be difficult to take naltrexone faithfully, and many individuals just stop taking the drug altogether. Naltrexone can be difficult to cope with, especially in the face of relapse, and many people choose not to take the drug for this reason.
“But even if most addicts will not continue to take the drug, some may –– especially physicians and other middle-class patients who are highly motivated to get free of the opiate because they have so much to lose from a persistent addiction” (Harvard Medical School). While these are not the populations most associated with opium abuse, some individuals in these situations may choose naltrexone because they know they have the discipline necessary to stick with it.
Can Naltrexone Be Part of a Well-rounded Opium Addiction Treatment Program?
In many cases, naltrexone users will also attend group therapy sessions, either in a professional setting or through a 12-step group like Narcotics Anonymous. The treatment lends itself well to a full treatment program that also utilizes therapy and other options because the individual will be through with their withdrawal and ready to work hard to see positive changes in their life.
Should I Take Naltrexone as an Opium Addiction Treatment?
“An addict who takes naltrexone faithfully will never relapse,” according to Harvard Medical School, but the treatment itself can be very difficult to tolerate. Still, if you believe you can take the medication as intended and do all you can to avoid the possibility of further drug abuse, then this treatment may be for you. It is important, though, to ask your doctor if they recommend naltrexone, as the medication can only be taken by prescription.
If you have a strong desire to avoid the consequences of relapse and understand the side effects of naltrexone, you can discuss the possibility of being treated with the medication with your doctor. If you would like to learn about naltrexone, call us at 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?).
How is Opium Overdose Treated? -
Opium overdose is just as dangerous as any other type of opioid overdose. A person can encounter severe respiratory depression, coma, brain damage, and even death as a result. Therefore, treatment for opium overdose is the same as the treatment of other types of high-level intoxications resulting from opioid drug abuse. Treatment At Home Opium ... 
Opium Detox, Opium Overdose and the Need for Ongoing Opium Addiction Treatment during the Holiday Season -
Opium drugs run the gamut as far as types and potencies, both legal and illegal. In spite of the range of opium drug types available, they all damage the brain and body in the same ways. Likewise, the opium detox process is hard regardless of the type of drug that got you there. Once a ... 
What’s Involved in Holistic Heroin Detox Treatment? -
Holistic heroin detox is a natural, effective way to overcome addiction for those opposed to using replacement medications. 
Opiate Addiction: The Darker Side of Pain Control -
With stricter regulations on controlling pain medications, doctors and addiction specialists are now seeing a disturbing trend. People with chronic pain are turning to illegal and dangerous means and substances to alleviate their legitimate illnesses. What the Evidence Suggests According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a review of 67 separate studies shows that ... 
Short Term Effects of Opiates -
Opiates are a class of drugs that are derived from the opium poppy. Such drugs include heroin, opium and various prescription painkillers such as methadone, morphine or Oxycodone. The short term effects of opiates range from mild sedation and pain relief to low blood pressure and respiratory distress. When too much of an opiate is ...