Opioid and alcohol abuse is still a big problem in the United States and worldwide. According to Caron.com, more than 6% of the population has alcoholism, and nearly 100,000 people die each year because of it. In Colorado nearly 12% of the population above 18 reports suffering from a substance use disorder. Nearly twice the national average. This giant number helps explain why there is a dire need for Sober Livings in Denver.
This crisis affects public health and social and economic well-being in the country. When it comes to the cost of prescription opioid abuse and drinking too much alcohol, costs the United States over $78.5 billion a year and about $249 billion each year, respectively. The CDC says this is the total "economic burden." This economic burden includes hospital costs, lost income, addiction treatment, and involvement with the law.
While the drug and alcohol crisis started to worsen, government officials began to worry about alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD), so the FDA developed and approved Naltrexone to treat them (OUD). Naltrexone is sold under the names ReVia and Vivitrol and many other names. Naltrexone's benefits? Naltrexone is a drug that is scientifically proven to help people control their cravings and feelings of euphoria that come with having a substance use disorder. Studies show that when Naltrexone is used with psychosocial therapy, those suffering from substance use disorder see marked improvements in recovery.
Why Do People Take Naltrexone and How Do They Use It?
Naltrexone can be taken as a tablet or injected into the body to treat alcoholism and opioid addiction. The pill form (ReVia and Depade) is taken every day, and the long-term injectable (Vivitrol) is given once a month by a licensed doctor to provide medicines.
Naltrexone is one of the most common medications used to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence. It helps reduce the risk of relapses and is one of the most commonly used medications.
Alcohol and opioids like heroin, morphine, and codeine can make people feel euphoric or sleepy. Naltrexone is an opiate inhibitor that binds to the endorphin receptors in the body and then binds to opiate receptors, thus reducing cravings in the patient. This key benefit helps people stay clean and stay clean for a long time. Naltrexone is effective in treating addiction, is not addictive, and has a low risk of abuse.
Timing is important, if using opiates then you should wait at least a week after their last use of short-acting opiates and 10-14 days after long-acting opiates before starting naltrexone treatment. This time will help them avoid having withdrawal symptoms from opioids. However, Naltrexone can be given immediately to people drinking alcohol. After taking Naltrexone, many people report a marked decrease in cravings for alcohol.
Naltrexone isn't for everyone, some essential requirements that need to be met to qualify to include:
Aged 18 and over.
Have no liver, kidney, or bleeding problems, like haemophilia, at the moment.
People who don't have allergies to Naltrexone.
Those who haven't been taking opioid analgesics for any long-term health problems.
When Naltrexone is used, there are a few common side effects?
It's not just one drug that has side effects; each one has a different set of problems that can happen. Do not stop taking Naltrexone without first talking to your doctor.
If you have too many side effects from taking Naltrexone, your doctor can lower your dose or switch you to a different drug to treat opioid or alcohol addiction. However, most of the side effects of Naltrexone will go away over time--usually one to two weeks.
The most common side effects are:
Nausea
Sleepiness
Headache
Joints hurt.
In this case, muscle cramps happen.
Dizziness
Vomiting
Pain in abdomen
Decreased hunger
Mild Malasie
Insomnia
Toothache
In very rare cases, Naltrexone can have adverse effects on people. Naltrexone can have terrible side effects, like:
Risk of overdosing on opioids during a relapse because tolerance for opioids has gone down
Injection Site Issues
Liver damage or hepatitis
Pneumonia
Horrible allergies (skin rash, swelling, trouble breathing, etc.)
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away.
Before starting naltrexone maintenance treatment, Women's Sober living medical experts say that you should talk to your doctor about the following things to lessen your chances of having side effects:
Pregnant: If you are, or plan to be
Pregnant or breastfeeding.
All the medicines you are taking now, both prescription and over-the-counter, as well as herbal supplements and vitamins.
People who have liver damage, haemophilia, other bleeding problems, kidney problems, and liver disease can have health problems.
Naltrexone and any ingredients or liquid used to mix the long-term Naltrexone. Currently, they aren't taking any other kind of illegal drugs. Considering your medical conditions, your doctor can figure out the safest dose of Naltrexone or another drug.
Can You Take Too Much Naltrexone?
It is possible to overdose on Naltrexone while taking it. Taking this could happen if someone took a lot of opioids or alcohol to fight the effects of Naltrexone.
The next time you take your medicine, don't double-dose and take it simultaneously each time. If you forget to take your naltrexone dose, you need to do so as soon as possible. But if you're too close to your next dose, you should skip the missed dose. If you don't take your Naltrexone doses, you'll have less success and be more likely to relapse. So, make sure to follow the advice your doctor gives you.
Other drugs to stay away from while taking Naltrexone
Naltrexone can cause dangerous side effects if it is mixed with other medications. Naltrexone can cause terrible and immediate withdrawals if taken with any opiate-based medicines. Before taking Naltrexone, talk to your doctor about any other medicines you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies.
The following medicines can make Naltrexone less effective:
It can be hard to stop taking narcotic drugs like codeine and hydrocodone when you're sick.
Diarrhoea medicines
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
Cough medicined
People addicted to opioids or alcohol can't get rid of their entire disease with Naltrexone. Naltrexone does help people in recovery stay clean while also allowing them to focus on other parts of their care. According to clinical trials, some of the main benefits of using Naltrexone are that it has a very low risk of causing side effects and a low risk of misuse, physical dependence, and addiction. And unlike many other medications, it doesn't make you feel bad when you stop taking it.
To get help for your loved one's addiction, call us today or fill out the quick contact form, and we'll get back to you right away.
Our goal at Serenity Falls is to help you build your confidence and momentum to achieve the future you want. We help adults who have alcohol, opioid, and other substance use disorders get help.