People often wonder if they need to identify as an alcoholic to receive naltrexone, or they’re convinced their drinking is in too much of a gray area for them to qualify. But you don’t have to hit rock bottom or be in full crisis to be a candidate for naltrexone.
We reviewed testimonials from Sunnyside Med members over time, along with the features and support included in the naltrexone program. Rather than looking for a uniform experience, we looked for themes that recurred: how easy members found the online prescribing process, what they thought of the app, coaching, and community, and whether pairing naltrexone with behavioral support helped them make lasting changes.
We reviewed testimonials shared by Sunnyside Med members over time. In particular, we tracked the experiences that came up again and again: what people noticed first, what aspects of the process took longer than expected, and the role the broader program played in helping members change their drinking habits.
You’ve decided you want to drink less, and naltrexone keeps coming up. Now you’re trying to figure out which online naltrexone program is actually worth it. At first glance, many of the options look similar. Most offer some kind of online assessment, a licensed clinician, and—if you’re eligible—a prescription delivered to your door. But once you look a little closer, the differences are much more meaningful.
Drinking habits exist on a spectrum, and most people don’t fit neatly into one category. You don’t need to decide, for example, that you are in severe crisis before trying naltrexone to drink less.
Many worries about naltrexone and the liver originate from older research, which used much higher doses than doctors prescribe today. At the current standard dose used for alcohol-related treatment, the evidence paints a much more reassuring picture.
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About Sunnyside
Sunnyside is a comprehensive platform for building a healthier relationship with alcohol. We combine a behavior-change app, real human coaching, and Sunnyside Med — our Telehealth service where licensed providers can prescribe medication to help reduce alcohol cravings. Members using the Sunnyside app report an average 33% reduction in weekly alcohol consumption, and Sunnyside Med customers are reducing their drinking by nearly 50% on average — along with improved sleep, better mental clarity, and an overall improved sense of well-being.
What is Naltrexone? Naltrexone is a medication that works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, which reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol and helps decrease cravings. Originally approved by the FDA in 1994 for the treatment of alcohol dependence, Naltrexone has been shown in clinical studies to significantly reduce heavy drinking days and support long-term moderation. Sunnyside Med prescribes a compounded oral formulation containing Naltrexone as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes coaching, tracking, and ongoing medical support.
Sunnyside Med connects you with licensed medical providers who can prescribe compounded medication containing Naltrexone, an active ingredient that is FDA-approved to support alcohol moderation, through a private Telehealth process. Sunnyside Med is not a substitute for emergency services or inpatient treatment. If you are in crisis or experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, please contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or call 911. We are proud partners of Moderation Management, a non-profit dedicated to reducing the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol.
Alcohol Moderation guides