Last Updated on August 11, 2025
💡 This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment plan, including the use of naltrexone. Individual needs and responses to treatment can vary.
If you’re exploring new ways to change your relationship with alcohol, you may be curious about naltrexone. While mindful drinking often starts with tracking, setting intentions, and making gradual changes, some people also choose to explore prescription medication as an additional tool. Naltrexone is one such option: It can help reduce cravings and make it easier to follow through on your mindful drinking goals.
Here’s what you should know about the naltrexone 50 mg tablet and how it might fit into your mindful drinking journey.
What Is the Naltrexone 50 mg Tablet?
The naltrexone 50 mg tablet is a prescription medication containing 50 milligrams of naltrexone hydrochloride. (This is the recommended dose for its approved uses related to alcohol, though some people start with 25 mg.) It’s taken orally, usually once a day, and works by targeting the brain’s reward pathways.
When you drink alcohol, your brain releases endorphins, chemicals that can make you feel relaxed, happy, or more social. Naltrexone partially blocks those feel-good effects, which can reduce the urge to keep drinking and make it easier to stop at your planned limit.
How to Access the Naltrexone 50 mg Tablet
The naltrexone 50 mg tablet is available only by prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. It is not available over-the-counter. If you’re interested in trying it as part of a mindful drinking plan, the first step is to speak with your doctor or a telehealth service that can assess your goals, review your health history, and confirm it’s safe for you.
Many people start with a consultation through their primary care provider, but online services can also connect you with prescribing clinicians. Always follow your provider’s instructions for starting, dosing, and monitoring while on naltrexone.
Why Mindful Drinkers Might Consider the Naltrexone 50 mg Tablet
At Sunnyside, we believe mindful drinking is all about awareness, intention, and balance. But sticking to your intentions can still be challenging, especially in pressured social situations or high-stress moments.
The naltrexone 50 mg tablet can help by:
- Reducing cravings so alcohol feels less tempting
- Making moderation easier because you may feel satisfied after fewer drinks
- Supporting your plan to cut back without feeling deprived
How the Naltrexone 50 mg Tablet Works
Naltrexone binds to particular receptors in the brain that alcohol interacts with, blocking some of the rewarding sensations. This shouldn’t make you feel sick—it simply changes the drinking experience so alcohol feels more neutral. That shift can make it easier to stop at your intended limit and stick with your mindful drinking plan.
Possible Side Effects of Naltrexone 50 mg
Like all medications, the naltrexone 50 mg tablet can cause side effects. Many are mild and temporary, and not everyone experiences them.
Common side effects may include:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
Taking the tablet with food may help ease stomach discomfort.
How to Use the Naltrexone 50 mg Tablet in Your Mindful Drinking Plan
- Pair it with tracking. Using a drink-tracking app like Sunnyside can help you measure progress and spot patterns.
- Set intentions before drinking. Decide how many drinks you plan to have or whether you’ll take an alcohol-free day.
- Check in with yourself. Notice how drinking feels on naltrexone compared to without it. Does it feel like something you want to keep doing? Do you feel aligned with your goals?
- Be patient. Adjusting your habits takes time. Be sure to celebrate your wins (even the small ones) and give yourself grace if things don’t go as planned.
- Stay connected. Share your goals with a friend, coach, or community (like Sunnyside’s Mindful Drinkers) for extra support.
FAQ
Do I have to quit drinking entirely to use naltrexone?
No. Many people use the naltrexone 50 mg tablet as part of a moderation plan, though some combine it with alcohol-free periods.
Can I drink alcohol while taking the naltrexone 50 mg tablet?
Yes. Naltrexone does not cause sickness if you drink alcohol. Instead, it works by reducing the pleasurable effects, which can help you stick to your mindful drinking goals. That said, it’s best to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance on when and how to take it in relation to drinking.
How long should I take naltrexone?
The ideal length of treatment varies. Some people use the naltrexone 50 mg tablet for a few months to help build new habits, while others continue for a year or longer. Your provider will help decide the right duration based on your goals and progress.
Will naltrexone change how I feel on days I don’t drink?
Most people feel the same during alcohol-free periods, though mild side effects like fatigue or headache are possible.
The naltrexone 50 mg tablet isn’t a magic fix, but it can be a powerful ally in mindful drinking. Ready to see what’s possible with naltrexone, Sunnyside, and a personalized plan to drink more mindfully? Take the first step today.
What is Sunnyside?
Sunnyside is a mindful drinking and alcohol moderation app that can help change your habits around alcohol using a proven, science-backed method. Whether you want to become a more mindful drinker, drink less, or eventually quit drinking, Sunnyside can help you reach your goals. We take a positive, friendly approach to habit change, so you never feel judged or pressured to quit.
When you join Sunnyside, you’ll start by completing a 3-minute private assessment so we can learn a bit about you. Once that’s done, you’ll get a 15-day free trial to test out everything, including our daily habit change tools, tracking and analytics, community and coaching, and education and resources. It’s a full package designed specifically to adapt to your goals and help you reach them gradually, so you can make a huge impact on your health and well-being.
Sunnyside is a digital habit and behavior-change program that is incredibly effective on its own, but can also be the perfect complement to other work you’re doing to cut down on drinking, whether that includes talk therapy or medication such as Naltrexone.
Get your 15-day free trial of Sunnyside today, and start living your healthiest life.
