Naltrexone
Naltrexone implants and tablets play an instrumental part in our drug recovery programme. Taking naltrexone for 12 months following your heroin detox, or any other opiate detox, is an essential part of the Detox 5 programme.
Why use naltrexone?
Over 15 years of experience in this field has shown us that the use of an opiate blocker is essential as it:
- Helps to prevent cravings;
- Reduces relapse rates;
- Gives much better long-term outcomes;
- Implanted naltrexone is even more successful, as it allows the person to completely move away from daily medication.
What is naltrexone?
Naltrexone blocks the effects of all opiates. It works by binding to drug receptors in your brain, which prevents opiate drugs from having their usual effect. Naltrexone is not a cure in itself, but by preventing you from getting your usual high, it can help to break the cycle of drug use.
Studies have shown that naltrexone can reduce cravings and prevent relapse. It is not habit-forming and has mild but rare side effects.
How do I take naltrexone?
Naltrexone must be taken for 12 months following detox. We recommend it is in the form of implants for at least 6 months of this, but it can be taken in tablet form on a daily basis.
Naltrexone Implants
At Detox 5, unlike other services, we use 2 'Sherman' Implants of 1.12g naltrexone. This ensures the implants work for the full 3 months period by providing a higher blood level of naltrexone than can be achieved witha single implant.
These small implants are placed under your skin in your lower abdomen. The implants will release controlled amounts of naltrexone into your body. The implant blocks the effect of opiates for three months.
With the implant, there is no need to worry about remembering your daily tablet, or thinking about any medication - this is an important factor in reducing cravings and allowing you to move on from opiates. Naltrexone implants become a huge part of the process of getting rid of an addiction.
When you get the implants, a minor surgical procedure will be performed before you leave the hospital. A 1.5cm incision will be made in your lower abdomen in front of your hip bone, the implant inserted, and the wound closed with three or four stitches. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and takes about 20 minutes to perform. You will be ready to leave the hospital within an hour or two of the procedure.
We recommend that you have another implant three months after the first one. After the first six months, you can elect to have a further implant or choose to switch to naltrexone tablets. We recommend you take naltrexone for at least 12 months after discharge.
The cost is £750 per implant procedure.
Tablets
Should you not wish to opt for implants, tablets may be taken daily under the supervision of your 'supervisor' - a relative or friend who does not use drugs.
We recommend that you take a daily 50mg dose of Naltrexone for 12 months after leaving the programme. Many people receive ongoing prescriptions via their GP. Detox 5 can assist you in this regard.
Implants as an outpatient - even if you haven't been through Detox 5
You are able to access our Naltrexone implant service if you are opiate-free, no matter how you did your detox. We have performed over 1,000 successful Naltrexone implant procedures, so you know you will be in safe hands.
We will assess your physical, mental and social health to make sure the implants will be most effective for you. We will test your urine for heroin, methadone, subutex and any other opiates before we are safe to complete the procedure.
The cost is £750 per implant procedure. £150 non-refundable deposit will secure a place in the outpatient service, with the balance of £600 paid on the day of attendance.
Questions to ask when considering a naltrexone implant
- What is the name of the implant?
- What is the name of the implant manufacturer?
- In grams, what is the dose of the implant?
- How much naltrexone will be released into my blood?
- To what degree have you studied my physical, mental and social health to say that the implant will be most effective for me?
