Last Updated on September 21, 2026

You can get a naltrexone prescription from a primary care clinician, psychiatrist, addiction specialist, or online telehealth program. A licensed clinician will review your health history and drinking goals to determine whether the medication is appropriate. Sunnyside Med offers online evaluations, medication delivery for eligible members, and ongoing support to help you cut back or quit drinking.

If you’re interested in trying naltrexone to help you drink less, the natural next question is where to get it. Can your regular doctor prescribe it? Do you need to see an addiction specialist? Or can you get a prescription online?

There are several ways to access naltrexone, including through primary care, psychiatry, addiction treatment, and telehealth. You’ll need a prescription, but you don’t need to know which type of care is right for you before reaching out. A licensed clinician can review your health history, drinking habits, and goals to determine whether naltrexone is appropriate.

Below, we’ll walk through your options, what to expect from a prescribing appointment, and how an online program like Sunnyside Med can provide medication alongside ongoing support.

Do You Need a Specialist to Get Naltrexone?

No. You don’t need to see an addiction specialist to get a naltrexone prescription. Primary care doctors, psychiatrists, and other clinicians with prescribing authority can prescribe it, provided they’re practicing within their state’s rules.

That said, not every clinician has the same experience treating alcohol use disorder with medication. A 2022 survey of prescribers found that fewer than one in four respondents had prescribed naltrexone for alcohol use disorder in the previous year. The findings help explain why someone might visit their regular doctor without hearing about naltrexone as an option.

If your primary care clinician is familiar with naltrexone, they may be able to evaluate you and prescribe it directly. If not, they can refer you to another provider. You can also seek out a telehealth program, like Sunnyside Med, that’s focused on alcohol care, where clinicians regularly evaluate people who are interested in medication to help them cut back or quit drinking.

4 Ways to Get a Naltrexone Prescription

You can get a naltrexone prescription through a primary care clinician, psychiatrist, addiction specialist, or online telehealth program. Each route involves a medical evaluation, but the appointment process, cost, and support available afterward may differ.

The right place to start depends on whether you already have a clinician you trust, how easily you can access care, and whether you want help with your drinking habits alongside medication.

Online Telehealth Program

Telehealth allows you to explore naltrexone without arranging an in-person appointment. You’ll typically complete an online assessment and meet with a licensed clinician who reviews your drinking patterns, medical history, current medications, and goals. If naltrexone is appropriate, the clinician can prescribe it. Depending on the program, the medication may be shipped to your home or sent to a pharmacy.

Some online services focus primarily on prescribing medication. Others, including Sunnyside Med, combine medication with tools and ongoing support to help you change your drinking habits.

Telehealth may be particularly convenient if you have trouble finding a local clinician familiar with naltrexone, prefer to discuss your drinking privately from home, or want access to behavioral support through the same program. For a closer look at the process, see our guide to getting naltrexone online.

Primary Care Doctor

Your primary care clinician is another place to ask about naltrexone, especially if you already have an established relationship. They may know your medical history, can review how naltrexone might interact with your other medications, and may be able to prescribe it during a regular appointment.

You can bring up naltrexone directly, even if your clinician hasn’t mentioned it before. If they’re unfamiliar with prescribing it for alcohol use disorder or think you would benefit from more specialized care, they may refer you to another provider.

Cost and convenience will depend on your insurance coverage, appointment availability, and whether your clinician offers telehealth visits.

Psychiatrist

If you already see a psychiatrist, you can ask them about naltrexone. They can evaluate whether it’s appropriate for you, particularly if you’re also receiving treatment for a mental health condition. You don’t need to see a psychiatrist specifically to get a prescription, though.

Addiction Specialist

Addiction specialists focus on treating substance use disorders and can help you explore medication alongside other treatment options. They may be particularly helpful if you’ve had difficulty cutting back, have other substance use concerns, or need more intensive support.

Depending on your needs, an addiction specialist might recommend naltrexone, another medication, counseling, or a combination of treatments. Access and cost vary by provider, and some specialists offer telehealth appointments.

Sunnyside Med Combines Telehealth Naltrexone With Ongoing Support

Getting a prescription is one step toward drinking less. Figuring out how to change your habits, and having support as you do it, is another. Sunnyside Med brings both parts together in a 100% online alcohol health program for people who want to cut back or quit drinking.

The process starts with an online assessment. A licensed clinician reviews your medical history, drinking habits, and goals to determine whether naltrexone is appropriate for you. Eligible members receive compounded oral naltrexone with vitamin B6, shipped discreetly to their homes.

Medication is only one part of the program. Members also have access to drink and medication tracking, personalized goals, progress analytics, and text coaching seven days a week. Weekly group calls and a private member community offer additional opportunities for support.

That ongoing support matters because taking medication consistently can be difficult. In a 2024 population-based study of people starting naltrexone for alcohol use disorder, only about one in six continued treatment for six months. The study did not evaluate Sunnyside Med specifically, but it illustrates why having a plan for medication adherence is worth considering when choosing a provider.

What to Expect Before You Get a Naltrexone Prescription

Whether you visit a doctor in person or use an online program, a clinician will need to determine whether naltrexone is appropriate for you. The evaluation typically covers your drinking habits, medical history, current medications, and treatment goals.

A few things are especially important to discuss:

• Opioid use: Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors and can cause sudden, potentially severe withdrawal in someone dependent on opioids. Tell your clinician about any opioid medications you take, including certain prescription pain relievers.
• Liver health: Your clinician will consider any history of liver disease and whether liver function testing is needed. Liver problems don’t automatically rule out naltrexone, but certain conditions, including acute hepatitis or liver failure, can make it unsuitable.
• Your drinking history: Expect questions about how much and how often you drink, whether you’ve tried cutting back before, and what you hope to achieve with treatment.
• Other health considerations: Your clinician may ask about additional medical conditions, medications, and whether you’re experiencing or at risk of alcohol withdrawal.

You don’t need to arrive with a diagnosis or know whether naltrexone is right for you. That’s what the evaluation is for. Depending on your health history, your clinician may recommend additional testing or a different treatment approach.

Naltrexone does not treat alcohol withdrawal. If you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, speak with a healthcare professional before making a sudden change.

How to Choose Where to Get Naltrexone

All four routes we’ve covered can provide access to a naltrexone prescription. The main differences are how you receive care and what kind of support is available after your appointment.

If you already have a primary care clinician you trust, asking them about naltrexone may be a convenient starting point. A psychiatrist may make sense if you’re also receiving mental health care, while an addiction specialist can provide a more comprehensive treatment plan if your needs are complex.

Telehealth offers another option, particularly if you prefer online appointments or want medication and behavioral support through the same program. Before choosing a provider, consider whether they offer ongoing clinical care, help with medication questions, and tools to support your drinking goals.

Sunnyside Med brings these services together online. Members can access clinician-guided medication treatment alongside drink tracking, coaching, and a private community, without having to coordinate care through several separate services.

Why Thousands of People Already Choose Sunnyside Med

Getting a naltrexone prescription can be straightforward. Changing your drinking habits over time may take more support, which is why Sunnyside Med offers more than medication alone.

The program brings together clinician-guided treatment, drink and medication tracking, personalized goals, and text coaching seven days a week. Members can also join weekly group calls and connect with others in a private community. Rather than having to find these resources separately, you can access them through one online program.

Percy Menzies, M.Pharm., President of ARCA, has described how unfamiliar this type of treatment can be to people seeking help. As he explained in Sunnyside’s guide to naltrexone and social drinking, many clients “had no idea outpatient treatment was effective, confidential, and cost-effective with this little pill called naltrexone.”

According to Sunnyside Med member data, 78% of active members achieved a meaningful reduction in drinking. Individual results vary.

Sunnyside Med costs $99 per month, requires no insurance, and is HSA/FSA eligible. A licensed clinician reviews every application to determine whether naltrexone is appropriate.

If you’re interested in exploring medication as part of your plan to drink less, take a quick assessment to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Where to Get Naltrexone

Does naltrexone require a prescription?

Yes. Naltrexone is a prescription medication and isn’t available over the counter. You’ll need an evaluation from a licensed clinician, either in person or through telehealth, to determine whether it’s appropriate for you.

What kind of doctor can prescribe naltrexone for alcohol?

Primary care doctors, psychiatrists, and addiction specialists can prescribe naltrexone. Other licensed clinicians with prescribing authority may also prescribe it within their scope of practice.

Can I get naltrexone through telehealth?

Yes. Telehealth programs can connect you with a licensed clinician who evaluates whether naltrexone is appropriate. Depending on the provider, your prescription may be sent to a pharmacy or the medication may be shipped to your home.

What happens during a naltrexone evaluation?

A clinician reviews your drinking habits, medical history, current medications, and treatment goals. They’ll also ask about opioid use and consider your liver health before deciding whether naltrexone is appropriate. Additional testing may be needed depending on your circumstances.

Do I need an alcohol use disorder diagnosis to get naltrexone?

You don’t need an existing diagnosis to ask a clinician about naltrexone. During your evaluation, they’ll assess your drinking and medical history to determine whether medication is appropriate. Naltrexone is FDA-approved to treat alcohol dependence; whether it can be prescribed for your particular circumstances is a clinical decision.

Naltrexone is a prescription medication. This content is educational and should not be taken as medical advice. A licensed clinician reviews every Sunnyside Med application.