Mixing Naltrexone and Alcohol

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Taking the first step is the hardest part.

A 3-day alcohol detox is a short-term program designed to help individuals stop drinking alcohol and begin recovery. Over three days, participants undergo a process to clear alcohol from their system and manage harmful withdrawal symptoms. It can be done at home or in a detox facility, depending on the individual’s needs and severity of alcohol consumption.

Many people consider a 3-day alcohol detoxification to kick-start their recovery from alcohol abuse and addiction. It can be a good option for those looking for a quick, manageable way to reduce their alcohol intake. This detox can be less overwhelming than longer programs, making it a popular choice for those new to recovery or with busy schedules.

The potential benefits of 3-day alcohol detox programs include improved physical health, such as better sleep and increased energy levels. It can also improve mental clarity and lessen alcohol cravings. In addition, this type of detox can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue with further substance abuse treatment or lifestyle changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Naltrexone helps reduce alcohol cravings by blocking the brain’s reward response, making drinking less satisfying over time.

  • Drinking while on naltrexone still leads to impairment and poor judgment, even if the pleasurable effects of alcohol are reduced.

  • Naltrexone is most effective when combined with therapy, counseling, and a structured treatment plan, not used on its own.

Navigating the First 3 Days of Detox

Adjusting to Detox

On the first day of your detox, you might experience a mix of physical and mental changes. Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, and fatigue. These are normal reactions as your body starts to adjust to the absence of alcohol. Remember to stay positive and keep focused on your goal.

Recommended Activities

To ease the alcohol detox process, keep yourself busy with gentle activities. Light exercise, like walking or stretching, can help improve your mood and energy levels. Try to engage in relaxing activities such as reading or listening to soothing music to keep yourself calm and distracted.

Dietary Guidelines

Eating a balanced diet is crucial during detox. Focus on consuming whole foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Avoid sugary and processed foods, as they can make alcohol withdrawal symptoms worse. Drinking plenty of water will also help flush out toxins from your system.

Physical And Emotional Changes

By the second day of alcohol detox, you might notice more pronounced symptoms, such as mood swings or anxiety. These changes are part of the detox process as your body continues to adapt. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and remind yourself that they will pass.

Staying Hydrated

Hydration is vital to managing alcohol detox symptoms. Drink water throughout the day to help reduce headaches and fatigue. Herbal teas can also be soothing and help with relaxation. Refrain from caffeine and alcoholic drinks, as they can worsen dehydration and withdrawal symptoms.

Coping With Cravings

Cravings for alcohol can be strong on the second day of detox. Distract yourself with hobbies or call a supportive friend to talk. Deep breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation can aid in managing the urge to drink. Remember, cravings are temporary and will diminish over time.

Signs Of Progress

On the final day of your detox, you may start to feel more like yourself. Symptoms should be less intense, and you might notice improvements in mood and energy levels. Celebrate these positive changes, as they are indicators that your body is healing and adjusting well.

Maintaining Motivation

Keep yourself motivated by focusing on the benefits of completing the detox. Remind yourself of your goals and the positive changes you’re experiencing. Writing down your reasons for starting the detox can help strengthen your commitment and keep you focused on your recovery.

Reflecting On The Journey

On day 3, take time to reflect on your detox journey. Consider what you’ve learned about yourself and the process. Acknowledge your efforts and think about your next steps. Use this reflection to build a plan for continuing your recovery and maintaining a healthier lifestyle.

Gradual Reintroduction To Daily Routine

After completing your 3-day alcohol detox, it’s important to gradually ease back into your daily routine. Start by reintroducing regular activities slowly, without overwhelming yourself. Focus on maintaining a balanced schedule that includes time for rest, work, and leisure. This gradual approach assists your body in adjusting to its new, alcohol-free state and supports your overall well-being.

Importance Of Ongoing Support

Ongoing support is crucial for maintaining your progress after detox. Connect with local support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), counselors, or therapists who can provide guidance and encouragement. Sharing your experiences with others who understand can be very helpful. Regular check-ins with a healthcare professional can also ensure you stay on track and address any challenges you might face.

Long-Term Lifestyle Changes

To build on the success of your detox, consider making long-term lifestyle changes. Focus on healthy habits like eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and managing stress effectively. Avoid places or situations that may trigger cravings or temptations. By incorporating these positive changes into your daily life, you set a strong foundation for long-term recovery and improved health.

By following these post-detox recommendations, you set yourself up for continued success and continue moving toward a happier, healthier, alcohol-free life.

What is Naltrexone?

A 3-day alcohol detox program may not be suitable for everyone. Let’s identify who should consider other detox methods to ensure safety and effectiveness:

  • Pure opiate antagonist naltrexone inhibits the body’s opiate receptors. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved naltrexone as a treatment option for people with alcohol and opioid use problems. The medication is available as an extended-release injection or as a pill.

    The primary objective of naltrexone use is to reduce and suppress intoxicating or opiate drug cravings. Naltrexone does this by attaching to the brain’s opioid receptors (clearing any opiate medications from these receptors) and flattening cravings.

    The development of physical dependence is not a side effect of naltrexone. Some people may experience a little bit of abuse potential after using naltrexone. 

    Because of this, naltrexone is helpful in instances where people are actively recovering from alcohol use disorders or opiate misuse. But it would help if you had a prescription to obtain it lawfully.

Side Effects of Naltrexone

Most of the time, naltrexone is safe and has few side effects. But every medicine has a list of potential negative effects. The adverse effects of naltrexone are relatively uncommon and do occur occasionally.

Some of the potential and most frequently reported adverse effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Cramps
  • Headaches
  • Anxiety
  • Vertigo
  • Sleep disturbances

Most potential adverse effects may go away with time without any treatment. You should not take opioids if you are taking naltrexone.

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist; therefore, people who use opiates and take naltrexone may experience symptoms of opioid withdrawal. 

According to the recommendations of the FDA, naltrexone users should abstain from opioids for a week to ten days.

People who use naltrexone and opioid medications simultaneously for psychoactive effects won’t get the typical “high” that they receive from opiate drugs. 

The reason behind this is that naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. Most people may overdose on opiates due to consuming more opiate drugs than they would normally.

Naltrexone as Alcohol Abuse Treatment

The mixture of naltrexone with alcohol does not appear to pose any substantial risks. 

According to data from FDA and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), people who use naltrexone and consume alcohol:

  • Will continue to have problems with slowed thinking speeds
  • Loss of motor coordination
  • Slower response times
  • May feel less of a desire to consume more alcohol
  • May cut back on alcohol consumption
  • Other alcohol-related problems

According to some studies, evidence points to naltrexone’s effectiveness in lowering alcohol consumption but not in encouraging alcohol use. 

The participants in the studies frequently continued to consume naltrexone while drinking alcohol. The researchers observed neither substantial nor unsafe side effects of the mixing.

The Sinclair Method, a method for treating alcohol use disorders, advises patients to take naltrexone roughly an hour before consuming alcohol.

In comparison to the recommended use of naltrexone, you should avoid drinking alcohol in the morning if you are taking naltrexone.

One research study suggests that taking the medication an hour before drinking alcohol reduces alcohol cravings and intake. 

Dr. Sinclair, who developed the Sinclair Method, claimed that using naltrexone in this way before consuming alcohol is substantially effective. Naltrexone is more helpful at lowering alcohol use than aiding the person in becoming or maintaining alcohol abstine

Naltrexone for Withdrawal Symptoms

Each person experiences the withdrawal phase of recovery uniquely. For instance, a few days may pass before some people stop having minimal withdrawal symptoms. 

However, some people may experience severe symptoms that last a lifetime. Medical professionals advise that people enroll in a rehab facility for better treatment options because it is impossible to predict how the body will react during withdrawal.

Among the most typical signs of alcohol withdrawal are:

  • Pain in head
  • Nausea and diarrhea
  • Disorientation
  • Insomnia
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Heavy perspiration and fever

Patients should not be physically dependent on alcohol or drugs before beginning naltrexone for AUD. Medical professionals often postpone the process until after the alcohol detox before administering naltrexone to prevent serious adverse effects like vomiting and nausea.

In the body, naltrexone binds to endorphin receptors to prevent the effects and sensations of alcohol. Naltrexone helps to reduce alcohol cravings and consumption. Taking naltrexone assists individuals in keeping their sobriety once they stop drinking. 

Treatment with naltrexone may last three to four months. Patients who have stopped using naltrexone should still be under the care of the rehab center.

The other opinion of using naltrexone for the treatment of AUD differs from the previous. According to it, although naltrexone has a long history of success in treating alcoholism, taking it alone is insufficient. 

Naltrexone is ineffective in reducing the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and alcohol cravings.

When naltrexone is combined with other forms of treatment, such as additional drugs, therapy, counseling, and 12-step programs, naltrexone is most effective. The treatment of people with addiction who have relapsed is one area where naltrexone is very effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Navigating the journey to recovery can bring up many questions. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about our services. If you need more information or have additional questions, we are only a phone call away.

Taking naltrexone makes drinking less enjoyable. You may discover that you aren’t as interested in drinking as you once were. 

The thought of drinking alcohol may seem unattractive. You may also notice that you have fewer desires for alcohol.

Alcohol and naltrexone won’t result in any severe illnesses. It’s crucial to understand that even while naltrexone could make you feel less intoxicated, you will still be impaired. 


If you take naltrexone and subsequently consume alcohol, your coordination and decision-making skills will suffer.
Even if you don’t feel buzzed or drunk, be cautious not to drive or participate in other daily activities.

Naltrexone inhibits the parts of the brain that experience pleasure from alcohol and opioids. When certain parts of your brain are not functioning appropriately, you feel less compelled to consume alcohol and can quit more easily. 

Unlike disulfiram, which is another prescription helpful in treating alcohol addiction, naltrexone doses do not make you ill if you drink while taking it.

You should avoid taking narcotics like morphine, codeine, or heroin while taking naltrexone. While taking naltrexone, do not take any cough treatment containing codeine. 

You must abstain from all narcotics for 48 hours before starting naltrexone. If you don’t, you may get withdrawal symptoms.

You will not feel any effect if you try to use opioids by self-testing in modest dosages while on naltrexone. 

Naltrexone reduces euphoric sensations by blocking the abused substance’s euphoric and sedative effects and using excessive doses of any opioid to avoid the blocked effects of naltrexone. 

On the other hand, it can result in severe damage, overdose, coma, or death. When you stop using opioids, you may become more sensitive to lesser dosages, so taking any opioid can be harmful.

Individuals using naltrexone should not:

Use any opioids (for example, morphine, heroin, oxycodone, codeine, tramadol, or hydrocodone)
Take central nervous system depressants such as sedatives, tranquilizers

When you drink alcohol, naltrexone suppresses intoxication’s pleasurable effects and symptoms. 

This enables patients with alcohol use disorder to reduce their drinking habits sufficiently to remain in treatment, avoid relapses, and take medicine. Your desire for alcohol will diminish over time.

However, naltrexone will not keep you from becoming drunk while drinking. Do not use naltrexone if you intend to drive or engage in other activities while under alcohol.

Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist that blocks opiate receptors in the body. It helps treat patients suffering from opioid addiction or alcohol use disorder in conjunction with a medically supervised behavior modification program.

Man talking to his doctor with a graphic discussing how you can mix naltrexone with alcohol

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