The Sinclair Method: Why Drinking on Naltrexone Falls Short

Naltrexone injection will not prevent you from becoming impaired when you drink alcohol. Do not take naltrexone in order to drive or perform other activities while under the influence of alcohol. If you miss your scheduled dose, call your healthcare provider to make another appointment as soon as possible. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of naltrexone injection in the elderly. This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your healthcare provider. Halfway house Taking naltrexone is not “substituting one addiction for another.” Unlike some medications, there is no potential for abuse.

Interactions with medications, foods, and supplements

By blocking the effects of opioids, it removes the “high,” which can deter use and support ongoing recovery. It can also be a valuable option for individuals who can’t or don’t want to use the other gold-standard opioid-based treatments like methadone or buprenorphine. Each avoided binge, brief recurrence, or full return to use is meaningful, and for many, naltrexone makes those wins possible. The Sinclair Method for alcoholism is an alternative, evidence-based approach to abstinence involving the alcohol treatment medication, naltrexone, to reduce alcohol consumption. Many people assume that everyone who struggles with alcohol misuse or an alcohol use disorder (AUD) needs to give up drinking altogether. A common misconception about alcoholism treatment is that people can only be successful in recovery if they are abstinent.

Initiating Treatment With Oral Naltrexone

And if you tend to abstain for multiple days, then go on multiple-day benders drinking morning to night, you might find that Vivitrol removes medication compliance concerns. It is worth noting here that medication compliance was not reported in any of the three trials. The role of medication compliance has generally been badly overlooked in studies of targeted naltrexone.

Fuel groundbreaking medical research!

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. It is possible that people with an alcohol use disorder may begin to use other substances of misuse such as narcotics or opioids. Should you begin to use other substances of misuse, call your healthcare provider. Make sure that you and your caregiver have the medicine naloxone, which is used to reverse the effects of opioids.

General drug facts

• Data on safety and effectiveness with adolescents are limited.
• When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below.
• This medicine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors.
• Naltrexone is absorbed relatively quickly by the body, so taking your medication every day is important to getting the benefits of fewer cravings for alcohol and less reward if you do drink.

If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Naltrexone belongs to a group of drugs called opioid antagonists. This article describes the dosage of naltrexone oral tablet, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about this drug, including its uses and side effects, see this naltrexone oral tablet overview article. The Sinclair Method for Alcohol Use Disorders is a treatment approach that involves administering the opioid antagonist medication naltrexone as needed to reduce the pleasurable aspects of alcohol consumption.

Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for. Serious side effects from naltrexone aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor Sinclair method right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.