Is Naltrexone Addictive?

When you’re trying to get a handle on alcohol use disorder you don’t want to trade one addiction for another - and with naltrexone you won’t.

What You’ll Learn:

• What makes a substance addictive.
• What indicates naltrexone isn’t addictive.
• The basics of how naltrexone works in the brain to curb alcohol cravings.
• What other addictions naltrexone can be used to treat.

Anyone wondering about whether or not naltrexone is addictive can stress less knowing that they won’t get addicted to naltrexone. The prescription medication actually helps to correct alcohol addiction, and you won’t develop a dependence or have withdrawal symptoms if you stop using naltrexone.

What Makes a Substance Addictive

There are some key characteristics that make something addictive. Many things can seem addictive when in fact it’s more of a habit. To be truly addictive a substance changes bodily systems in a way that leads to compulsive use despite negative consequences.

Reward System Activation 

On a biological level, substances that impact the reward system of the brain can be addictive. Substances that trigger a dopamine release will send a signal in the brain motivating the person to seek out that substance again for another dopamine hit. It’s not just a matter of dopamine creating a euphoric effect that reinforces the behavior of using a substance and makes other things seem less pleasurable in comparison. Dopamine is also a neurotransmitter that drives motivation. 

Brain Changes 

Addictive substances don’t just trigger a dopamine release. They also change the brain’s structure. MRI imaging can show structural changes after habitual use of addictive substances as the brain adapts to its presence. This leads to functional and behavioral changes that affect control, memory, judgment and decision-making.

Tolerance 

Tolerance is when a person gets used to a substance and a larger quantity is needed to get the same effects as before. This is why people with alcohol use disorder end up drinking more and more, or they go from drinking beverages with a lower ABV to ones with a higher alcohol concentration. 

Dependence 

When a person becomes reliant on a substance physically and psychologically it’s known as dependence. Without the substance the body and brain has difficulty functioning. 

Withdrawal Symptoms 

Withdrawal symptoms happen when a person develops a dependence then stops taking an addictive substance that their body is now used to having. It’s the result of bodily systems not being able to function like before. Both physical and emotional effects are considered withdrawal symptoms.

Indicators That Naltrexone is Not Addictive

Getting back to the question of, is naltrexone addictive, one only needs to consider the points above. Naltrexone does not cause a dopamine release in the brain or remodulate the reward system, which then leads to compulsive use.  

Even taking naltrexone daily doesn’t lead to tolerance or dependence. Because of that you can stop taking naltrexone and won’t experience withdrawal symptoms.

In fact, the way naltrexone works in the brain it actually does the exact opposite, which is why it’s considered the gold standard prescription medication for treating alcohol addiction.

How Naltrexone Breaks Addictions Instead of Creating Them

Naltrexone is highly effective at treating alcohol use disorder because of the effect it has in the brain. It binds to endorphin receptors to prevent the release of dopamine when alcohol is consumed. That means there is no euphoric or high effect from the alcohol. That in turn breaks the association between alcohol and euphoria, reducing the craving to consume alcohol. 

In other words, naltrexone is the exact opposite of addictive substances. It helps curb alcohol cravings, dulls the compulsive behavior and helps people maintain their sobriety once they stop drinking.

Other Addictions That Can Be Corrected With Naltrexone

The effect that naltrexone has on the brain is powerful. It’s so powerful, the medication isn’t just for AUD.  

Naltrexone was originally approved to treat another addiction before being FDA approved for alcohol use disorder. The medication is very effective at breaking opioid addiction. The key difference is that while naltrexone tablets are prescribed for alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder is treated using an extended release injectable form of the medication at a higher dose.

Despite the different administration, naltrexone works in the same way to prevent the release of dopamine, curb opioid cravings and break the addiction. 

If you want to explore the option of using naltrexone to treat an alcohol addiction, start by taking the Alcohol Use Assessment to see if you’re a good candidate for the medication.