Naltrexone for Alcoholism
Is alcoholism a disease?
Yes. Most experts agree that alcoholism is a disease just as high blood
pressure, diabetes and arthritis are diseases. Like these other diseases,
alcoholism tends to run in families. Alcoholism is a chronic disease.
"Chronic" means that it lasts for a long time or comes back often. The main
treatment for alcoholism is to stop drinking alcohol. This can be difficult,
because most people who are alcoholics feel a strong desire for alcohol when
they stop drinking.
How is naltrexone used to treat alcoholism?
Naltrexone (brand name: ReVia) is a medicine that reduces your desire for
alcohol when you stop drinking. Naltrexone may help you stay sober for a long
time. Although your doctor has prescribed naltrexone to help you stop
drinking, this medicine is not a complete cure for alcoholism. It can help you
stop drinking while you get other treatments that your doctor will talk about
with you.
How does naltrexone work?
Naltrexone blocks the parts of your brain that "feel" pleasure from alcohol
and narcotics. When these areas of the brain are blocked, you feel less need
to drink alcohol, and you can stop drinking more easily. Unlike disulfiram
(brand name: Antabuse), another medicine that is sometimes used to treat
alcoholism, naltrexone does not make you feel sick if you drink alcohol while
taking it.
What should I do when I take naltrexone?
Because naltrexone blocks the brain areas where narcotics and alcohol work,
you should be careful not take any narcotics, such as codeine, morphine or
heroin, at the same time. Don't even take any cough medicine with codeine in
it while you are taking naltrexone. You must stop taking all narcotics for 48
hours before you start taking naltrexone. If you don't, you could get
withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone shouldn't be taken if you're pregnant, so talk about birth
control with your doctor. It's not known if naltrexone goes into breast milk,
so it's best not to breast-feed a baby while you're taking it.
What are the side effects of naltrexone?
Some people have side effects like nausea, headache, constipation,
dizziness, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, or pain in their arms and legs
or stomach. Up to 10% of people who take naltrexone have nausea, but most of
these side effects don't happen very often. If you get any of these side
effects, tell your doctor. He or she may change your treatment or suggest ways
you can deal with the side effects.
How long will I take naltrexone?
You and your doctor will decide this. Most people take the medicine for 12
weeks or more. Naltrexone only has to be taken once a day. Be sure to take
naltrexone just the way your doctor tells you to. Don't take extra pills,
don't skip pills and don't stop taking the pills until you talk to your
doctor.
Will I need other treatments for alcoholism?
Like many other diseases, alcoholism affects you physically and mentally.
Both your body and your mind have to be treated. In addition to medicine, your
doctor will probably recommend some psychosocial treatments. These treatments
can help you change your behavior and cope with your problems without using
alcohol. Examples of psychosocial treatments include Alcoholics Anonymous
meetings, counseling, family therapy, group therapy, hospital treatment and
similar programs. There may be special treatment centers in your area that
offer them. Your doctor can refer you to the psychosocial treatment that is
right for you.
(Rev. August 2000)
This handout provides a general overview on this
topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to
you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family
doctor.
Visit familydoctor.org for more useful
information on this and many other health-related
topics.
Copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 by the American Academy
of Family Physicians.
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