How does Naltrexone work for alcohol or opioid use disorders?

Naltrexone implants are small pellets implanted under the skin with a surgical incision, usually in the lower abdominal area. As the pellets dissolve, they release a continuous dose of naltrexone over several months. This form of treatment with slow-release of medication is designed to improve patient adherence to treatment and improves a patient’s quality of life by eliminating the need for daily intake of pills.

Naltrexone implants remain unlicensed in the UK for commercial purposes and outside of a research framework, and are not approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Since naltrexone implants are not licensed, they tend to be administered at private clinics with inconsistent standards of care. At The OAD Clinic, we provide alternative treatments including Naltrexone tablets which are approved for relapse prevention from alcohol and opioids. From our perspective, our main concern with Naltrexone implants is pain at the implant site and infection since the cut to the skin has to be deep enough for the pellets to remain in place, and at times, they fail to remain inside causing a skin rupture leading to infection.

For individuals and families desperate for solutions to severe alcohol addiction, the practical benefits of naltrexone implants can be tempting, however this type of treatment does carry higher risks than other evidence-based treatments. We highly discourage you from seeking treatment with Naltrexone implants.

A safer alternative treatment to Naltrexone implants for Alcohol Use Disorders: Antabuse - Disulfiram

At The OAD Clinic, we carry a duty to recommend evidence-based treatments and treat all types of alcohol dependence with either Naltrexone tablets, Acamprosate or Antabuse - Disulfiram, along with clinically-oriented talking therapies when necessary. 

For those asking What is Antabuse? 

Antabuse is the brand name of Disulfiram and is used as alcohol aversion therapy: Antabuse induces nausea and even vomiting when alcohol is consumed. It is a very different approach to Naltrexone, which reduces cravings and feelings of euphoria associated with substance use disorder.

Similarly, Acamprosate is similar to Naltrexone in that it reduces alcohol cravings and therefore helps sustain abstinence.

Real Life Cases of Patients on Antabuse - Disulfiram

Alcohol treatment programmes at our clinic have involved medicated treatments along with task-oriented relapse-prevention strategies, ‘problem recognition’ force field analysis.

Other programmes have involved medicated treatments confronting drinking behaviour and consequences,

revisiting problem recognition, identifying relapse triggers, force field analysis, levels of change within the cycle of change spectrum and introduction to Antabuse.

Other programmes have involved exclusively medicated treatments with Antabuse, Naltrexone, Acamprosate or other medication.

Please contact The OAD Clinic for free advice and more information.

A safer alternative treatment to naltrexone implants for Opioid Use Disorders: Buvidal injection

For opioid use disorders, Buvidal as a monthly injection has proven to be highly effective and practical in treating opioid addiction and treatment adherence.