Craving Control Therapy
Naltrexone Treatment in Albany, NY
Naltrexone is a clinically proven, non-addictive medication used to treat both opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder, and it works in a fundamentally different way from other MAT options. Rather than stabilizing opioid receptors the way methadone or buprenorphine does, naltrexone blocks them entirely, preventing opioids and alcohol from producing their rewarding effects and significantly reducing the craving response over time. At Fusion Recovery Center in Albany, NY, oral naltrexone is available as part of our comprehensive MAT program, integrated with counseling and structured outpatient care to support lasting recovery from both opioid and alcohol dependency.
What Is Naltrexone and How Does It Work?
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, it works by binding to and blocking opioid receptors in the brain, preventing opioids and alcohol from activating those receptors and producing their rewarding effects.
Unlike methadone (a full opioid agonist) or buprenorphine (a partial opioid agonist), naltrexone does not activate opioid receptors at all. It carries no abuse potential, does not produce physical dependence, and cannot be misused to get high. This makes it a uniquely non-addictive MAT option, appropriate for patients who want an effective relapse prevention tool without any opioid receptor stimulation in their treatment.
- For opioid use disorder: Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors so completely that if a patient uses opioids while on naltrexone, those opioids produce no euphoric effect, removing the chemical reward that drives opioid use and significantly reducing relapse risk.
- For alcohol use disorder: Alcohol partially activates the brain’s opioid system to produce its pleasurable effects. By blocking opioid receptors, naltrexone interferes with the rewarding response to alcohol, reducing cravings, diminishing the pleasure associated with drinking, and lowering rates of relapse and heavy drinking episodes.
One critical requirement: because naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, patients with opioid dependency must be fully opioid-free, having completed detox, before starting naltrexone. Starting naltrexone while opioids are still present in the system will precipitate immediate and severe withdrawal. Your clinical team at Fusion Recovery will confirm full opioid clearance before initiating treatment.
Oral Naltrexone vs. Vivitrol: Understanding the Difference
Naltrexone is available in two forms, an oral daily tablet and Vivitrol, an extended-release monthly injection. Both contain the same active medication and work through the same mechanism, but they differ significantly in administration and who they are best suited for.
Oral Naltrexone
Form | Daily tablet |
Administration | Self-administered daily |
Adherence requirement | Daily — missed doses reduce protection |
Medication levels | Can fluctuate with missed doses |
Best for | Patients with strong daily adherence |
Vivitrol (injectable)
Form | Once-monthly injection |
Administration | Administered by provider monthly |
Adherence requirement | Monthly — eliminates daily adherence burden |
Medication levels | Consistent throughout month |
Best for | Patients who benefit from consistent coverage without daily dosing |
For patients who find daily oral adherence challenging, or who want the strongest possible protection against missed doses, Vivitrol’s monthly injection format offers a meaningful clinical advantage.
What to Expect: Naltrexone Treatment at Fusion Recovery
01.
Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation
Your treatment begins with a full clinical evaluation, a physical exam, complete substance use history, mental health screening, and assessment of any co-occurring conditions. For opioid-dependent patients, this evaluation confirms that you have completed detox and are fully opioid-free before naltrexone is initiated. Your clinical team will also assess whether oral naltrexone or Vivitrol is the more appropriate form for your situation.
02.
Confirmed Opioid-Free Period
For patients with opioid use disorder, a confirmed opioid-free period, typically a minimum of 7 to 10 days after the last opioid use, verified by urine drug screen, is required before starting naltrexone. This is a clinical safety requirement, not a barrier to treatment. Fusion Recovery offers monitored medical detox services to assist you on this first step. Your physician will confirm clearance before initiating the medication.
For patients using naltrexone solely for alcohol use disorder without opioid dependency, this requirement does not apply.
03.
Naltrexone Initiation
Once cleared, oral naltrexone is initiated at a low dose and titrated as needed. Most patients take a 50mg tablet daily. Your physician monitors your response in the early weeks, checking for tolerability and adjusting dosing if needed.
04.
04. Maintenance Treatment
Naltrexone maintenance involves taking your daily oral dose as prescribed while engaging in the counseling and outpatient programming that form the behavioral foundation of recovery. Your clinical team monitors your progress regularly, adjusting your treatment plan as recovery develops and addressing any side effects or concerns that arise.
05.
Counseling and Therapy
Naltrexone alone is not recovery. At Fusion Recovery, naltrexone treatment is integrated with individual therapy, group counseling, and structured outpatient programming from the start. Blocking the reward response to opioids or alcohol is a powerful clinical tool, but the behavioral and psychological dimensions of addiction require the dedicated work of counseling to address.
Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder in New York
Naltrexone is FDA-approved for opioid use disorder and is an effective relapse prevention tool for patients who have completed detox and are opioid-free. Because it carries no abuse potential and does not produce physical dependence, it is a preferred option for:
- Patients who want MAT without any opioid receptor activation in their treatment plan
- Patients who have completed a medically supervised detox and are motivated to maintain opioid-free status
- Patients in professions where opioid receptor agonist medications may create complications (healthcare workers, commercial drivers, etc.)
- Patients with strong support systems and high treatment motivation who want a non-agonist option
It is important to understand that naltrexone does not ease withdrawal symptoms; patients must complete detox and be opioid-free before starting. For patients who are not yet opioid-free or who need the stabilizing effect of an opioid agonist medication, methadone or Suboxone is typically the more appropriate first-line MAT option.
Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder in New York
Naltrexone is one of only a few FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder and one of the most clinically supported. Research consistently shows that naltrexone reduces alcohol cravings, diminishes the pleasurable effects of drinking, and significantly lowers rates of relapse and heavy drinking episodes.
At Fusion Recovery, naltrexone for alcohol use disorder is integrated into a comprehensive alcohol treatment plan that includes individual therapy, group counseling, and structured outpatient programming, because medication alone does not address the behavioral and psychological roots of alcohol dependency.
Naltrexone for alcohol use disorder does not require a prior detox period in patients without opioid dependency, making it accessible earlier in the treatment process for appropriate candidates.
The Benefits of Naltrexone Treatment
Non-addictive — no abuse potential
Naltrexone does not activate opioid receptors, does not produce euphoria, and does not create physical dependence. It is the only major MAT option for opioid use disorder that carries zero abuse potential, a meaningful distinction for patients who want effective relapse prevention without any risk of medication dependency.
Effective for both opioid and alcohol use disorder
Naltrexone is one of the few medications FDA-approved for both opioid and alcohol dependence, making it a versatile clinical tool for patients managing either condition, or both simultaneously.
Reduces the reward response to relapse
If a patient on naltrexone uses opioids or alcohol, those substances produce significantly reduced or no rewarding effect. This removal of chemical reinforcement from relapse is one of naltrexone’s most powerful clinical mechanisms, over time, weakening the conditioned association between substance use and reward.
Supports long-term relapse prevention
Naltrexone is particularly well-suited as a long-term relapse prevention tool, for patients who have achieved sobriety and want ongoing pharmacological support to maintain it. It is available in both daily oral and monthly injectable (Vivitrol) forms to accommodate different lifestyle needs.
Available in monthly injectable form
For patients who prefer not to manage daily oral medication, Vivitrol, the once-monthly injectable form of naltrexone, provides the same opioid and alcohol receptor blockade without daily dosing requirements.
Why Choose Fusion Recovery for Naltrexone Treatment?
Fusion Recovery provides naltrexone treatment within a fully integrated outpatient program — not as a standalone prescription service. Here’s what sets our approach apart:
- Board-certified physicians managing naltrexone prescribing, dosing, and medical oversight
- Dual FDA-approval expertise — naltrexone for both opioid and alcohol use disorder, managed within the same program
- Counseling integrated from day one — individual therapy, group therapy, and structured programming alongside medication
- Both oral naltrexone and Vivitrol available — the right form for your lifestyle and clinical needs
- Personalized treatment plans built around your history, goals, and recovery stage
- Non-judgmental, stigma-free environment — compassionate care regardless of history
- OASAS-certified outpatient treatment provider serving Albany and the Capital Region
Start Naltrexone Treatment at Fusion Recovery
If you’re ready to begin naltrexone treatment — or want to understand whether it’s the right MAT option for your situation — our clinical team is here to help.
Naltrexone FAQ
01. What is naltrexone treatment?
Naltrexone treatment is a form of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist — it blocks opioid receptors, preventing opioids and alcohol from producing their rewarding effects and significantly reducing cravings. At Fusion Recovery, naltrexone is available in oral daily tablet form and as Vivitrol (monthly injection), integrated with counseling and outpatient programming.
03. How does naltrexone work for alcohol addiction?
Alcohol partially activates the brain’s opioid system to produce its pleasurable effects. Naltrexone blocks this opioid receptor activation, reducing the rewarding response to alcohol — decreasing cravings, diminishing the pleasure of drinking, and lowering rates of relapse and heavy drinking episodes.
05. Do I need to detox before starting naltrexone?
For patients with opioid dependency, yes — a confirmed opioid-free period of at least 7 to 10 days is required before starting naltrexone to avoid precipitating severe withdrawal. Your physician at Fusion Recovery will confirm clearance via urine drug screen before initiating treatment. For patients using naltrexone solely for alcohol use disorder without opioid dependency, this requirement does not apply.
07. What is the difference between oral naltrexone and Vivitrol?
Both contain the same active medication and work through the same mechanism. Oral naltrexone is taken as a daily tablet; Vivitrol is a once-monthly injectable form administered by a provider. Vivitrol eliminates daily dosing and provides more consistent medication levels throughout the month — a meaningful advantage for patients who find daily adherence challenging.
09. What are the side effects of naltrexone?
Common side effects may include nausea, headache, fatigue, insomnia, decreased appetite, and stomach discomfort — particularly in the first few weeks of treatment. Most side effects are mild and temporary. Taking naltrexone with food can help reduce nausea. Your clinical team will monitor for side effects and adjust care as needed.
02. How does naltrexone work for opioid addiction?
Naltrexone binds to and completely blocks opioid receptors in the brain, preventing opioids from producing any euphoric effect. If a patient uses opioids while on naltrexone, those opioids produce no reward — removing the chemical reinforcement that drives opioid use and significantly reducing relapse risk over time.
04. Is naltrexone addictive?
No. Naltrexone does not activate opioid receptors and does not produce euphoria or physical dependence. It is the only major MAT option for opioid use disorder that carries zero abuse potential — making it a uniquely non-addictive treatment tool.
06. Does naltrexone help with withdrawal symptoms?
No. Naltrexone does not alleviate withdrawal symptoms — it is not a detox medication. It is initiated after detox is complete and works as a relapse prevention tool rather than a withdrawal management medication. Patients requiring withdrawal management should discuss medical detox or agonist-based MAT options with their clinical team.
08. Can naltrexone be used for both opioid and alcohol use disorder?
Yes. Naltrexone is one of only a few medications FDA-approved for both opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder — making it a versatile clinical option for patients managing either condition or both simultaneously.
10. Does insurance cover naltrexone treatment?
Yes. Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover naltrexone as part of substance use disorder treatment. Fusion Recovery accepts a wide range of insurance plans and can verify your specific benefits before your first appointment. Contact our admissions team to confirm your coverage.
01. What is naltrexone treatment?
Naltrexone treatment is a form of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist — it blocks opioid receptors, preventing opioids and alcohol from producing their rewarding effects and significantly reducing cravings. At Fusion Recovery, naltrexone is available in oral daily tablet form and as Vivitrol (monthly injection), integrated with counseling and outpatient programming.
02. How does naltrexone work for opioid addiction?
Naltrexone binds to and completely blocks opioid receptors in the brain, preventing opioids from producing any euphoric effect. If a patient uses opioids while on naltrexone, those opioids produce no reward — removing the chemical reinforcement that drives opioid use and significantly reducing relapse risk over time.
03. How does naltrexone work for alcohol addiction?
Alcohol partially activates the brain’s opioid system to produce its pleasurable effects. Naltrexone blocks this opioid receptor activation, reducing the rewarding response to alcohol — decreasing cravings, diminishing the pleasure of drinking, and lowering rates of relapse and heavy drinking episodes.
04. Is naltrexone addictive?
No. Naltrexone does not activate opioid receptors and does not produce euphoria or physical dependence. It is the only major MAT option for opioid use disorder that carries zero abuse potential — making it a uniquely non-addictive treatment tool.
05. Do I need to detox before starting naltrexone?
For patients with opioid dependency, yes — a confirmed opioid-free period of at least 7 to 10 days is required before starting naltrexone to avoid precipitating severe withdrawal. Your physician at Fusion Recovery will confirm clearance via urine drug screen before initiating treatment. For patients using naltrexone solely for alcohol use disorder without opioid dependency, this requirement does not apply.
06. Does naltrexone help with withdrawal symptoms?
No. Naltrexone does not alleviate withdrawal symptoms — it is not a detox medication. It is initiated after detox is complete and works as a relapse prevention tool rather than a withdrawal management medication. Patients requiring withdrawal management should discuss medical detox or agonist-based MAT options with their clinical team.
07. What is the difference between oral naltrexone and Vivitrol?
Both contain the same active medication and work through the same mechanism. Oral naltrexone is taken as a daily tablet; Vivitrol is a once-monthly injectable form administered by a provider. Vivitrol eliminates daily dosing and provides more consistent medication levels throughout the month — a meaningful advantage for patients who find daily adherence challenging.
08. Can naltrexone be used for both opioid and alcohol use disorder?
Yes. Naltrexone is one of only a few medications FDA-approved for both opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder — making it a versatile clinical option for patients managing either condition or both simultaneously.
09. What are the side effects of naltrexone?
Common side effects may include nausea, headache, fatigue, insomnia, decreased appetite, and stomach discomfort — particularly in the first few weeks of treatment. Most side effects are mild and temporary. Taking naltrexone with food can help reduce nausea. Your clinical team will monitor for side effects and adjust care as needed.
10. Does insurance cover naltrexone treatment?
Yes. Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover naltrexone as part of substance use disorder treatment. Fusion Recovery accepts a wide range of insurance plans and can verify your specific benefits before your first appointment. Contact our admissions team to confirm your coverage.
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David Sietz, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, Fusion Recovery
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