Response to Naltrexone Segment by Sanjay Gupta on CNN

Naltrexone is not a Cure for Alcoholism or a 'Miracle Drug'

Our experience with Naltrexone has shown that it is a tool we can use to help men and women who are struggling to overcome addiction or alcoholism. Naltrexone reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms but does not address any of the underlying issues that are fueling the alcoholic behavior.

The man in the CNN special who took Naltrexone and subsequently lost the urge to drink is the exception to the Naltrexone patient, not the rule. The man now frequents the bar that he used to like to drink in and doesn't want to drink. We do not doubt that the man is telling the truth. We have been treating addiction and alcoholism for so long we've seen people lose the urge to abuse drugs and alcohol overnight after a crisis, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, or another significant life event. This man experienced and ultimatum from his wife prior to beginning his Naltrexone regimen. This is somewhat comparable to the interventions that we regularly facilitate.

Naltrexone Can Help Facilitate a Life Changing Process

Our job at Sober Living by the Sea is to treat each individual with a unique program of recovery that will give them the best chance to learn how to live a rewarding life in sobriety. We are in the business of creating those moments of epiphany and change that lead people to long term abstinence. Our treatment team will work with an individual closely to understand their attitudes, thoughts, behaviors, and triggers that contribute to their chemical dependency. Naltrexone allows us to get the person sober at first and help manage the cravings and withdrawals that make early sobriety physically uncomfortable. Then the real work begins... (and most likely we will strongly recommend our clients to not continue to hang out in their very favorite watering hole during their ensuing recovery...)

Naltrexone can be effective when combined with a thorough treatment program like we offer at our rehab facility. Clients at Sober Living by the Sea will undergo a thorough assessment by our team of addiction physicians and then be given a personalized treatment regimen that will keep them busy with constant positive activities. Several times a day the client will find themselves in therapy sessions, workshops, lectures, and support group meetings. These therapeutic activities are broken up with frequent outdoors rehab activities that are social, physically challenging, and culturally engaging to build strength and self esteem. Soon our client is finding that they are living an enjoyable life in sobriety.

More Information About Addiction Medications
To help you understand our approach to using medications like Naltrexone, read our blog entries that describe a Suboxone Success Story and a Suboxone Failure Story (Suboxone contains an opioid receptor antagonist that is used in early recovery to reduce cravings).

For more information about Naltrexone or any other kind addiction treatment topic you want to learn about, call us at 866-323-5609 and our treatment team will patiently answer all your questions confidentially. Take advantage of our twenty plus years of successfully treating alcoholism and drug addiction and call us today.