FAQs

The freedom from the physical cravings for alcohol and drugs is critical.  By removing the intrusive compulsion to drink or use, patients can refocus on their life, their relationships, their family, and the long-term psycho-social-behavioral aspect of the recovery.  It is of particular importance during the first six months of recovery.

Yes. Naltrexone was FDA approved in the pill form for the treatment of opiate addiction in 1984, and alcohol addiction in 1995. Naltrexone implants are not FDA approved, but have been used for over two decades via compounding pharmacies.

Naltrexone implant pellets are a specially compounded, formulation of naltrexone that is patient specific (503A) only after a prescription is written by a medical caregiver who deems that the individual patient is a good candidate for the implantable formulation. Compounding is a common and legal process used by licensed pharmacies to create special formulations and/or combinations of FDA approved drugs based upon a doctor’s prescription. The pharmacies that make each implantable naltrexone pellet must strictly follow state and federal compounding laws.  Naltrexone pellets have been used worldwide for over two decades.  For more information about drug compounding, please visit the FDA’s website at https://www.fda.gov/drugs/guidance-compliance-regulatory-information/human-drug-compounding

Naltrexone is not addictive, and there is no physical dependence.  It does not produce a “high” or any feelings or sensations that could be considered pleasurable or addictive.  In addition, there is no physical withdrawal when naltrexone wears off or is discontinued.

No. Alcoholism and drug addiction is a chronic, complex, and multi-factorial, life-long disease. There is no known cure.  It should be considered a chronic brain disease. Alcoholism, as with most addictions, is a result of psychosocial and physiological malfunctions. BOTH the physical aspect and the psychosocial/ behavioral/emotional aspects of this disease should be addressed to have the highest chance of obtaining and maintaining, sobriety.

Naltrexone is a very safe and well-tolerated medicine. The most common side effects of naltrexone are nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, and anxiety. If present, most side effects are mild and self-limiting.  Often, it is difficult to determine whether the symptoms are true side effects, or a result the body’s detoxification from chronic alcohol dependence.  Although exquisitely rare, in supra-therapeutic doses naltrexone has been noted to have toxic effects on the liver, so routine blood testing of liver function should be performed prior to treatment and periodically during treatment. Uncommonly, patients may report depression or exacerbation of pre-existing mood disorders.

Naltrexone is a very safe medication that has been used for many years. Most physicians report that the naltrexone pellets are generally very well tolerated. Besides the side effects mentioned above, physicians report that patients can experience itching, tenderness, swelling, pain, irritation, inflammation, or infection around the surgical site. It is reported that the majority of cases of irritation or inflammation resolve with time.  Often, antihistamines and topical and/or oral steroids are used to help treat the local inflammation depending on the treating physician.   In cases of infection, antibiotics may be needed. In the very unlikely case of severe infection or inflammation, a doctor may recommend the removal of the pellet.

Results may vary by patient.  Practitioners that have used the naltrexone implant pellet formula typically used in the Beat Addiction Recovery Program report that it lasts several months based on their independent clinical assessments of their patients.

Consult with your physician, but most medications can be taken while on naltrexone. It is important to let the doctor know what medications are being taken prior to naltrexone therapy so that any contraindications can be determined. Naltrexone will block the effect of opioid pain relievers, so it is important to notify medical personnel if you are receiving naltrexone treatment. It may also render cough and cold medications containing opioids ineffective. During naltrexone therapy, patients should have a medical card that can be carried discreetly in one’s wallet or purse. In the event of an emergency or where a patient requires pain relief due to any medical circumstances, alternative analgesia may be administered in the hospital setting.

That is solely determined between patient and caregiver, but pellets are known to have been used worldwide to help those with opioid use disorder.  Naltrexone is FDA approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder in oral and injectable forms.  Patients must detox and be completely off all opioids for 7-10 days or longer in some cases prior to beginning any naltrexone therapy.  If successfully detoxed of opioids, the patient might then possibly be a candidate for naltrexone implant therapy if prescribed by a treating physician under his/her discretion.  It must be understood that, in addition to diminishing some of the urge to use, naltrexone may altogether block the euphoric effect of any opioid depending on the levels of naltrexone in the body.

In addition to utilizing medicine to address the physical and neurobiological aspects of the disease, patients will participate in intensive and individualized one-on-one sessions with recovery counselors.  As discussed above, to obtain and maintain sobriety, the physical AND the psycho-social/behavioral aspect of addiction must be addressed.   Naltrexone is a very effective tool that virtually eliminates the physical cravings when taken as prescribed. Once physical cravings are suppressed, the individual can focus entirely on the addiction’s equally important and difficult psychosocial aspect.  Study after study indicates that medical therapy combined with counseling is superior to medical or behavioral therapy alone.

The Beat Addiction Recovery Program has no association or affiliation with AA and is not considered to be in conflict with AA. That said, it is recognized that many in the throes of addiction are incapable of concentrating and absorbing the teaching of counselors, therapists, and group meetings. The ultimate goal of the Beat Addiction program is simply to help as many individuals as possible to become sober and to maintain sobriety. By eliminating the intrusive and overwhelming craving to drink through naltrexone therapy, patients can better ingest, digest, and apply the teachings and tools available to them from their counselors, therapists, and other support environments with which they feel most comfortable and consider useful.

This is a very good question. Addiction has been long been considered a behavioral issue or a moral failing, not a medical problem. Our country’s treatment of addiction has been primarily behaviorally based, intended to help addicts make better choices.  This approach has been challenging, unfortunately often resulting in creating shame, guilt, and loss of self-esteem for those suffering relapse.