naltrexone

Naltrexone for opioid addiction

What is naltrexone? Naltrexone is a medication approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder (opioid dependence). It blocks the μ (mu) opioid receptor in the brain, displacing most other opioids and rendering them basically inactive in that regard. If a person under treatment with naltrexone, takes an opioid (e.g. heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone etc), the opioid ingestedcannot activate the μ opioid receptors and thus exert its actions to the body…

By Dr. Panagopoulos, ago

Alcohol use disorder

Alcohol use disorder (alcohol addiction) What is alcohol use disorder? It’s the new term introduced in the latest diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association for alcohol addiction (this syndrome was previously classified as 2 separate illnesses: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence). How is alcohol use disorder defined? In simple words, it is defined by drinking alcohol in a problematic way which leads to impairment or distress and suffering from at least 2 of…

By Dr. Panagopoulos, ago