At-home prescription naltrexone for alcohol addiction
Treatment for alcohol use with naltrexone. Naltrexone is proven to help reduce alcohol cravings and is FDA-approved to help people drink less or quit alcohol.
Naltrexone for recovery from alcohol
Changing your relationship with alcohol can be difficult. Naltrexone makes it easier by relieving alcohol cravings and blocking the euphoric effects of alcohol. Whatever your goal—quitting alcohol or drinking less—incorporating naltrexone into your treatment program can help you stay on track.
Reduce cravings and decrease heavy drinking days
What is naltrexone?
When used for alcohol addiction, naltrexone is sold in the form of a daily pill under the brand names ReVia and Depade. Naltrexone belongs is a group of medications called opioid antagonists, which means it blocks the opioid receptors in the brain. This means you cannot take naltrexone and opioids at the same time.
What is naltrexone used for?
Naltrexone works to aid in reducing drinking or in recovery from alcohol use disorder, as it has been shown to reduce the amount and frequency of drinking. It affects the pleasure centers of the brain that addiction (including alcohol use disorder) is believed to activate.
How does telehealth naltrexone treatment work?
Through Workit Health’s online program, you can speak with a clinician via a telehealth video visit about your medical history and your recovery goals. If appropriate, naltrexone will be e-prescribed to your local pharmacy. You can connect with groups for motivation and accountability in recovery, and work through therapeutic courses hand-picked for you.
Read more: Everything to Know About Telemedicine Addiction Treatment
Where can I get naltrexone treatment?
Workit Health clinicians offer online naltrexone treatment for alcohol addiction in select states. We serve each of these entire states via telehealth addiction treatment.
What are the risks and concerns about naltrexone?
Naltrexone is used to help people who have stopped drinking alcohol and using street drugs continue to avoid drinking or using drugs. Naltrexone should not be used by people who are still using street drugs or drinking large amounts of alcohol. Do not take any opioid medications or use opioid street drugs during your treatment with naltrexone. Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioid medications and opioid street drugs and can lead to precipitate withdrawal. Naltrexone may cause liver damage when taken in large doses. It is not likely that naltrexone will cause liver damage when taken in recommended doses. Other side effects may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, mood changes, difficulty falling or staying asleep, drowsiness, and muscle or joint pain. For more information about naltrexone, see the naltrexone listing on medlineplus.gov, the full Prescribing Information, and Medication Guide, or talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
What's included
Clinical care
Connect with a licensed provider able to prescribe medication to manage cravings, anxiety, and depression.
Community
Find a community that understands in our members-only forum and unlimited recovery groups.
Support
Stay motivated with weekly tools in your inbox. Stay connected with unlimited in-app messaging.
The Workit 90 Day Plan
Recovery designed to fit into your life
Month 1
Stabilize
Focus on key elements of your recovery journey, including understanding your motivation, building a network of support, and receiving expert care to manage cravings.
- A treatment plan created with a licensed medical provider
- Weekly video visits (either 1:1 with a medical provider or in group follow-up appointments)
- Medication e-prescribed to relieve cravings, as appropriate
- Alcohol withdrawal care with monitoring support by medical assistants
- Manage co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression
- Enroll in at least 1 online recovery group
- Activities, tools, and affirmations in your inbox
- In-app care team chat support
Month 2
Strengthen
Add tools to your recovery toolbox and develop new coping skills while you continue to receive expert clinical care. We'll also focus on peer support in groups and our Forum chatrooms.
- All Month 1 features
- Switch from weekly appointments to bi-weekly appointments
- Participate in Forum
- Learn coping strategies
- Recovery stories in your inbox
- Attend at least 1 online recovery group, with no upper limit
Month 3
Thrive
Build on your recovery foundation with once a month, 60-minute group visits for support, optional medication management, and staying connected through in-app chats and peer chatrooms.
- All Month 1 + Month 2 features
- Switch from bi-weekly appointments to once a month group follow-ups
Citations
1. Naltrexone. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/medications-counseling-related-conditions/naltrexone. Accessed November 2021.
2. Carpenter, J. E., LaPrad, D., Dayo, Y., DeGrote, S., & Williamson, K. (2018). An Overview of Pharmacotherapy Options for Alcohol Use Disorder. Federal practitioner : for the health care professionals of the VA, DoD, and PHS, 35(10), 48–58. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6248154/
3. Volpicelli, J.R., Alterman, A.I., Hayashida, M., & O’Brien C.P. (1992). Naltrexone in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 49(11):876–880. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1992.01820110040006
4. C. Garbutt, J.(2010). Efficacy and Tolerability of Naltrexone in the Management of Alcohol Dependence. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 16 (19), 2091-2097. doi:10.2174/138161210791516459
Our pages are medically reviewed and fact-checked by accredited medical professionals to ensure that all statements about medical conditions, symptoms, treatments, procedures and tests, standards of care, and typical protocols are accurate and reflect current guidelines as well as the latest research. However, please remember that the information on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical or other advice. Workit Health, Inc. and its affiliated professional entities make no representations or warranties and expressly disclaim any and all liability concerning any treatment, action by, or effect on any person following the general information offered or provided on this page. If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider.