Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Prevalence of Binge Drinking and Heavy Drinking: In 2015, 26.9 percent of people ages 18 or older reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month; 7.0 percent reported that they engaged in heavy alcohol use in the past month. Many people are unaware that they are developing a serious problem until it has taken over their life. Although there are many treatment options out there, Naltrexone implant is gaining popularity due to its safety, confidentiality and efficacy.
Medication assisted treatment is treatment for addiction that includes the use of medication along with counseling and other support. Treatment that includes medication is often the best choice for opioid and alcohol addiction. Addiction is a disease. It cannot be cured, but it can be treated with medication, counseling, and support from family and friends. The goal of medication assisted treatment is to recover from addiction. It does not replace one addictive drug with another. It provides a safe controlled level of medication to overcome the use of a problem drug. Recovery is possible for those who are willing to make behavior modifications on their own as well.
Naltrexone is one of three medications commonly used to treat addiction. The other two are Methadone and Buprenorphine. Cost varies for these medications. You may need to take this into account when considering treatment options. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. It blocks the effect of alcohol and opioids at the brain receptor level. In combination with behavioral therapy, Naltrexone helps to reduce the cravings for alcohol, heroin, morphine, dilaudid, fentanyl, and oxycontin.
Naltrexone implants are a long acting formula. Implanted under the skin pellets slowly release Naltrexone over the course of three months. A short simple procedure is done in the medical office under local anesthesia.
Naltrexone is also available as a pill, or intramuscular injection. Daily tablets have a higher failure rate due to low compliance. Naltrexone muscular injections are painful and provide adequate levels for only one month. The 2014 systemic review published in the Drug and Alcohol Review examined 9 studies and found Naltrexone implants to be more effective than oral Naltrexone or placebo. After having the implant placed monthly medical monitoring is required. Patients need to continue in individual or group therapy as a part of the recovery process.
Naltrexone helps you avoid relapse. It is legal and taken under a doctor’s care. It is not just another drug to abuse. Naltrexone is produced under safe conditions and prescribed by a physician. There is no risk of getting tainted doses which can happen with street drugs. You can stop taking Naltrexone at any time without withdrawal or craving. Naltrexone is not addicting or habit forming like many other commercial drugs available for addiction. If you are taking Naltrexone you cannot get high from opioids or alcohol because the medication blocks the effects. If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, medically supervised naltrexone implant treatment may offer a lifesaving cure.
Contact us: Lazo Pipovski, MD, Bethany Kulpeksa, CMA
For Scheduling: Call Sue Meyer, Office Manager
CALL 941.266.4469 OR 941.702.5972
www.LifeXLsrq.com
