Nalmefene for alcohol dependency
Speak to an addictions clinician on nalmefene for alcohol addiction, treatment, rehab, cost, detox, admission, therapy, counselling and outpatients.
Alcohol
Alcohol use disorder is a serious medical condition which is diagnosed when someone cannot stop drinking or is finding it very difficult to stop drinking alcohol. There are many names for this condition, including:
Alcohol addiction
Alcoholism
Alcohol dependence
It can either be mild, moderate or severe and can cause lifelong brain damage if left untreated, as well as the physical toll it can leave. Lasting changes to the brain can make people more susceptible to relapsing. However, using evidence-based treatments, it is possible to recover and stay in recovery.
A clinician is available to answer your questions at any time. Your call will be treated confidentially, and advice is free, without obligation and available to all. If you need alcohol addiction rehab treatment, then call in and speak with a clinician at Find Me A Rehab. Call now for free rehab advice in the UK.
Get The Help You Need Today.
Free Rehab Advice exists to provide free and independent advice to those seeking admission to drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres in the UK, and abroad.
Contact UsWhat is Nalmefene?
Nalmefene is a medication that can be used by those who are concerned about their drinking.
Nalmefene for alcohol addiction may be an option for people who are not yet at crisis point, but know they need to do something about it.
A useful adjunctive treatment, Nalmefene is licenced and recommended for people who are drinking but do not need a detox.
If you are drinking alcohol but do not wake up with withdrawal symptoms, then Nalmefene for alcohol addiction may be useful
Free Rehab Advice
Free Rehab Advice exists to provide free and independent advice to those seeking admission to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Find Out MoreHome Detox
Speak to an experienced addictions clinician on home detox: free, impartial and confidential advice.
Find Out MoreResidential Rehab
Call for free and impartial advice on residential rehab,detox,recovery, therapy and counselling from a clinician.
Find Out MoreHelp Us Help You
What does Nalmefene do?
Nalmefene sits on opioid receptors and slows down the effects of opioids.
While not invented for alcohol addiction, it has now been licenced for this.
It is common for medications to gain additional licences aside for which it was originally marketed. Viagra is a perfect example!
The aim of treatment with Nalmefene is to reduce the reward gained when alcohol is consumed.
When you drink you get a sense of relaxation, a sense of euphoria.
If you take Nalmefene, in sufficient time before you drink (an hour to an hour and a half) you will not experience these pleasurable effects.
The theory is that, by doing so you will disassociate yourself from drinking alcohol. Moreover, Nalmefene for alcohol addiction works by targeting this reward system and helping break the cycle.
Nalmefene
What it can't do
https://findmearehab.net/antabuse-is-not-a-detox-treatment/Nalmefene can not be used as a detox medication.
If you take it and decide to drink alcohol it will not stop you getting drunk.
Should you drink, excessively, on a daily basis (and throughout the day) it is likely you will become physically dependent on alcohol.
Nalmefene can not be used as a detox medication as it won’t work.
Nalmefene must be taken, at least an hour, before you drink otherwise it will not be effective.
Nalmefene
Are there any side effects?
As with all medications, there are some side effects that have been reported by people taking it.
Some of the side effects are:
* Feeling sick
* Dizziness
* Insomnia
* Headaches
* Poor appetite
* Rapid heartbeat
* Diarrhoea
* Dry mouth
* Vomiting
* Excessive sweating
The good news is that most cases of side effects have tended to be mild or moderate, start at the beginning of treatment and only last for a few hours to a few days.
Current evidence shows that these usually pass if you continue treatment or take a short break.
Sometimes it is difficult to work out which are possible symptoms of side effects and which are the result of you not drinking as much.
In some cases, it may be difficult for you to distinguish side effects from the symptoms you may feel when you reduce your alcohol consumption.
However, Nalmefene for alcohol addiction is generally considered safe for most people when prescribed appropriately.
Nalmefene
Who can't take it
As Nalmefene interferes with opioid receptors you should not take Nalmefene is you are on Methadone, Buprenorphine or any other opioid based medication.
Were you to use Nalmefene after having taken opioids it will push you into withdrawal.
This can be dangerous.
Those with poor liver and kidney function can not take Nalmefene.
Nalmefene
Where can I get a prescription for Nalmefene?
Your GP can not prescribe it for you. Not at first, anyway.
Due to the way NHS GP services are commissioned, your GP can not recoup the cost against their prescribing budget and neither can a pharmacist if the stamp on the prescription is from an NHS GP surgery for the initial months of treatment.
You may be able to get an NHS prescription from your local, council funded, drug and alcohol services.
To get a prescription from your local service you will need to engage with them: attend meetings and groups.
It may take sometime before you are seen by a clinician. Not all services are funded for Nalmefene.
Nalmefene is a very expensive medication.
In summary, for those seeking Nalmefene for alcohol addiction, engaging with local alcohol services remains the best route.
If you work with them, attend meetings and keywork sessions, they may (if the service has been aligned to do so) be able to get your GP to provide a repeat prescription.
Nalmefene is taken for six months to a year.
There is no evidence to show that taking it for a longer period will have any benefit.
Still Have Questions?
Call UsContact Support
if you find yourself in need of assistance at any hour, we're here to support you around the clock. Whether it's the dead of night or the crack of dawn, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to lend a helping hand whenever you require it. So, if you ever find yourself in a pinch or simply need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to reach out. We're committed to being there for you whenever you need us, no matter the time. We only signpost to legally registered services.