Naltrexone and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• LCG...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 11, 2022

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I'm at my wit's end trying to figure out why I feel so fatigued. I take other meds, so I've been trying to suss out. Then, twice, I went off this for party vacations (a no-no, of course), and I had my old energy, depression lifted somewhat, and basically enjoyed things normally. Also, I drank quite a lot on it anyway! I gotta find another way. This hurts, not helps."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2021

Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder "This medication worked immediately! As in same day immediately! If you have the desire to reclaim your life from alcohol, get the injection! Sing a song, phone a friend...something to occupy your mind when they administer the needle. It hurt, but more like a bee sting as opposed to “hurt like hell.” You will survive! For some reason, the first day I was extremely emotional (rage + depressed), it went away the next day! Once your head is clear, listen to your soul for what to do next. Getting to the root of the trauma is necessary for total healing! Grace & Peace! Hope this helps!"

• Gus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2022

For Opioid Use Disorder "The medication saved my life. I thank the doctor at my clinic for the rapid detox (6-hour procedure) and few days in the hospital recovering. I couldn't kick heroin, acute withdrawals always won. I got 21 days after another treatment center, went back, and sabotaged my girlfriend, who was ready to give up on life. I felt so stuck, like I couldn't do it again (between 15-20 at home and 2 other rehabs). My job canned me after the 2nd rehab, got real depressed, started sleeping 14 hours a day and going 6-7 days between showers. I just wanted to die because, like every kick, it takes a bit of your spirit, I had no more fight left. My girlfriend got us to a great rehab, it's pricey, but the dude is literally the best in the world when it comes to treating opiate dependence. Are you used to hearing 'addiction is a disease' or 'get a sponsor, work the steps'? This doc said it is BS, take naltrexone daily, and in 6 months, your brain is normal. 3 months still clean. Naltrexone is why, not me."

• luv...
• August 28, 2017

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I was on this drug for 6 weeks and found it did not change my desire to drink at all. The only thing it did was alter my mood. On days when I managed to not drink (usually because there was nothing in the house), I did feel calmer and didn't have the angry mood swings I had before naltrexone when I tried to stay sober. Also, the depression and disappointment I had felt in myself whenever I drank before starting naltrexone went away when I started the drug. Basically, naltrexone turned me from a very moody and remorseful heavy drinker to a chill heavy drinker. Upon the recommendation of my psych, I'm switching to Campral to see if that helps better."

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2022

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "Getting the Vivitrol shot was the worst thing that could have happened to me. Before getting the Vivitrol shot, I was two years sober from opiates and thought I was ready to get off and stay off Suboxone. I was wrong. After getting the Vivitrol shot, I became severely depressed. The most depressed I’ve ever been in years, and as the month went on, it got worse. On top of that, it didn’t help whatsoever with my cravings. If anything, my cravings returned after being gone for two years. I hear Vivitrol helps a lot of people, but I’m one of those people it didn’t. The severe depression caused me to relapse after 2 years sober towards the end of the month once the shot wore off. Now I’m back to day one and getting back on Suboxone and going to rehab. Just know depression is one of the main side effects of Vivitrol. Be careful."

• Ltp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2022

For Alcohol Use Disorder "It was an absolute disaster for me. Instead of mitigating my craving for alcohol and other substances, it actually intensified my cravings, and I relapsed. Also, beware that if you’re a smoker, this will block the effects of nicotine. Nicotine was currently not a substance I was looking to quit, and my doctor failed to tell me until later that naltrexone does block nicotine effects. Horrible experience. I felt disoriented from this medication, and it sent me into one of the worst depressions I’ve ever had."

• Bay...
• June 17, 2021

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "Took the injection after medical opiate detox. Instantly, I was puking and having horrible diarrhea. Things remained horrible. Couldn’t eat for 5 days. Constant severe blood pressure increase. I “thought” it was due to detox, but now I know that I am allergic to this injection. I immediately had to go on high doses of blood pressure meds in order to not have a heart attack or stroke. The symptoms are still here 25 days after injection. Night sweats, insomnia, severe depression. This was the worst decision I have ever made. And life threatening. Pulled medical records past 5 years, never had high blood pressure. I paid $30K to go to the best medically induced opiate detox, then stay at a million dollar home with staff. I had to stay 3 extra days while others would leave completely fine 4 days earlier. I was the sickest I have ever been. In one week, lost 26 lbs, no sleep, high blood pressure, extreme fatigue. I'm just praying all these horrific side effects go away soon. Absolute worst decision I’ve made."

• Ray...
• February 28, 2018

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Started this for weight loss. I'm already on 450 mg of Bupropion, so just added Naltrexone 50 mg. I cut the pills in half and take 25 mg a day. It's cheap. 25 mg made me tired at first and a bit depressed, but that seems to be leveling out. I had a few beers a couple nights ago, and it actually improved the feeling. Anymore, I lose interest in drinking after 2 or 3 beers. I'm a long-time sufferer of OCD and Dysthymia. I self-medicated for years. Naltrexone doesn't help the OCD, but it seems to help with the other issues. Taking the two medications creates the prescription weight loss drug 'Contrave.' The optimum dose of Contrave is 360 mg Bupropion and 32 mg Naltrexone."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "What I’m about to explain is only my experience. I’m from the UK, so wording might be different. So, I have been a heroin addict for the best part of 23 years, went through all different processes from being put to sleep for 5 days, then getting the naltrexone by implant and by oral. I have done this 5 times. See, I always thought the drugs were the problem, but in fact, they were the solution. Once the drugs were removed from my system, I was left with myself, a feeling of restlessness, depression, and extreme reality, too much for me to mention. What naltrexone did was give me periods of clean time, but I would just use something else: drink alcohol or different drugs."

• vol...
• February 10, 2016

For Opioid Use Disorder "So I started taking the pill naltrexone this morning. I was on day 9 of being off Subutex and was taking the Subutex for 5 years following an opioid addiction for several years prior. I had it very rough the first week of being clean, then things started getting a little easier. Other than the occasional anxiety, insomnia, and just plain no motivation to do anything. I first was prescribed clonidine to help with anxiety, and really it's to lower heart rate. One minute I would feel okay, the next very sluggish. Did 2 days of this, then went to the naltrexone. I felt pretty good this morning before I took the pill, and now it's like I'm back into withdrawals...anxiety, sweats, muscle aches...it just seems to be very discouraging. Should I continue the naltrexone?"

• Max...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2018

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "My problem is I don't want the sick, irritable, and withdrawing feeling at all. I can't handle it. I have beat IV version use several times, but didn't last long. Any suggestions."