Naltrexone Archives - The Mindful Drinking Blog by Sunnyside

💡 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. Naltrexone is a prescription medication that's been quietly changing the lives of people who want to drink more mindfully. Thanks to new telehealth platforms and personalized support systems, getting naltrexone online has never been more accessible. Here’s everything you need to know about how naltrexone works, how to get naltrexone online, and how to use it as part of a sustainable plan to cut back on alcohol—on your own terms. What Is Naltrexone? Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication that reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. That means you may find it easier to stop after one or two drinks (there's evidence to support this), or even skip drinking altogether, without feeling like you're depriving yourself. Originally developed to treat opioid dependence, naltrexone has been widely used since the 1990s to help people drink less or eventually quit. You don’t need to meet any particular clinical definition to benefit from naltrexone. More and more people in the “gray area” of drinking—those who don’t identify as addicted but are reevaluating their habits—are using naltrexone as a resource in their mindful drinking journey. Why More People Are Looking for Naltrexone Online Historically, getting a naltrexone prescription could be a frustrating experience. Many primary care doctors aren’t familiar with using naltrexone for alcohol reduction, and patients may feel awkward bringing it up—especially if they don’t see their drinking as a “problem.” That’s where telehealth changes the game. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, when in-person medical appointments largely weren't possible, many more patients were able to access naltrexone online from their own homes, thereby reducing barriers to care. They were also more likely to keep up with their naltrexone regimen. Getting naltrexone online saves time and removes the awkwardness of an in-person visit with a provider you may not know that well. Whether you're looking to cut back during the week, moderate more consistently, or take a longer break from alcohol, online platforms make it easy to explore whether naltrexone is a fit for your goals. How to Get Naltrexone Online If you're exploring how to get naltrexone online, it's important to go through a legitimate, medically supervised platform. Here’s how the process typically works: Complete an intake questionnaire: You'll fill out a questionnaire about your health history and drinking habits. It's important to answer these questions honestly and thoroughly. Connect with a licensed provider: A medical professional will review your information to determine whether naltrexone is appropriate for you. Get your prescription: If approved, your provider will send the prescription to a partner pharmacy, and naltrexone will be shipped directly to your door (or, in some cases, you can pick it up at the local pharmacy you usually use). Receive ongoing support: Platforms like Sunnyside help you pair medication with behavior-change tools, tracking, and expert coaching—so you’re never going it alone. This approach helps ensure that you use naltrexone safely and effectively, and that you receive guidance tailored to your specific needs, including dosage instructions, nuances related to your personal medical history, and advice about side effects. How Much Does Naltrexone Online Cost? Naltrexone is generally affordable, especially when prescribed in its generic form. For those using health insurance, generic oral naltrexone (50mg tablets) typically costs around $99 per month, depending on the pharmacy and your location. Prescription discount cards can often lower the cost even further. Without insurance, the range is much broader. If you have insurance, there’s a strong chance naltrexone is covered. Most commercial insurance plans include it, especially when it’s prescribed for reducing alcohol use. Medicare Part D also generally covers naltrexone. Reminder: It’s a good idea to check with your specific plan to confirm coverage details and copays. Is Oral Naltrexone Available Over the Counter? Oral naltrexone is not currently available over the counter. Even if you opt to get naltrexone online, you'll still need a prescription from a medical provider. How Sunnyside Can Work Alongside Naltrexone At Sunnyside, we believe in using a broad toolkit to change your relationship with drinking. That’s why we can work alongside naltrexone to help you drink more mindfully. This includes: Personalized tracking that helps you set goals and see your progress Daily nudges that help you build healthy habits over time 1:1 coaching from real humans who get it Science-backed strategies that meet you where you are, not where someone else thinks you should be. We’re not here to push you toward abstinence, unless that’s your goal. We’re here to help you live better, starting with your relationship with alcohol. Does Naltrexone Really Work? Yes. Multiple studies have shown that naltrexone can help reduce alcohol consumption, especially alongside other support. A 2022 study found that, when combined with regular counseling, naltrexone was associated with a significant reduction in binge-drinking days (approximately a 26% decrease) and a decrease in the average number of drinks consumed per month (approximately a 31% decrease). People using naltrexone have reported: A decreased desire to drink Reduced pleasure from drinking More confidence in social situations without alcohol Fewer regrets and hangovers That said, naltrexone isn’t a magic fix. Naltrexone is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive plan that includes intention-setting, self-reflection, and other forms of ongoing support. Users' experiences will vary depending on their goals, the amount they're currently drinking, and the other tools they're using to address their issues. For instance, some people may experience reduced cravings in the first week of taking naltrexone, while others may need much longer to achieve the same results. That's okay! What Are the Side Effects of Naltrexone? Most people tolerate naltrexone well, but like any medication, it can come with side effects. Common ones include nausea, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. These are typically mild and temporary. For a deeper dive, check out our post on naltrexone side effects. Taking the First Step Cutting back on alcohol doesn’t have to take over your life. You don’t need to white-knuckle your way through happy hours, you don't need to painstakingly avoid all social events, and you definitely don’t need to tackle your journey alone. 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.

Category: Naltrexone

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