What Oral Naltrexone Is
Naltrexone is a daily tablet approved by the FDA as part of treatment for alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. It blocks the effects of opioids at the receptor, and for many people it can reduce cravings or the pull toward drinking. It is not a controlled substance and is not habit forming.
Medication is one tool among several. It works best as part of a plan that also looks at sleep, stress, support, and what drinking or opioid use has been doing for you. Responses vary from person to person, and no medication guarantees a particular result.
Oral naltrexone care at Aura Integra is for adults 18 and older who are physically located in Massachusetts at the time of each visit.
For Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol care here comes without shame and without a script you have to perform. We talk about what drinking is doing for you before we talk about taking it away, and cutting back is a legitimate goal to start with. If naltrexone fits, we explain what the evidence supports, what side effects to watch for, and how we will know whether it is helping.
For Opioid Use Disorder
Because naltrexone blocks opioids, it can only be started after a period of time without any opioids, including prescribed opioids, buprenorphine, and methadone. Starting too soon can bring on sudden, severe withdrawal. How long that period needs to be depends on what was used, and we plan the timing with you rather than guessing.
Naltrexone is not the right first choice for everyone with opioid use disorder. We also explain other medication options in plain language so you can decide with full information.
Overdose safety: after a period without opioids, or after stopping naltrexone, tolerance drops. Using the amount you used before can cause a fatal overdose. Keep naloxone on hand, and call 911 for any suspected overdose.
Safety and Monitoring
- Before starting, we review your health history, current medications, and any recent opioid use.
- Laboratory work, including liver tests, may be part of starting and continuing treatment.
- Naltrexone blocks opioid pain medicines. Tell any clinician, dentist, or emergency team that you take it.
- Follow ups let us check how you are doing, review side effects, and adjust the plan together.
Cost and Insurance
An oral naltrexone management follow up (25 to 30 minutes) is $150 self pay. See Insurance and Fees for the initial evaluation fee, the limited income based sliding scale, and your right to a Good Faith Estimate.
Naltrexone care for adults can be billed to Cigna, Aetna, and Curative commercial plans through Headway, or paid directly. Medicare is not accepted at this time. Aura Integra is an enrolled MassHealth provider. Coverage depends on your plan; contact us to check yours. Substance use treatment records carry additional federal confidentiality protections under 42 CFR Part 2.
Who Provides Care
Care is provided by Augustine Mensah, MSN, BSPH, APRN, PMHNP-BC, a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Prescribing follows written prescriptive guidelines with an experienced Massachusetts nurse practitioner, in accordance with Massachusetts requirements.
How to Book
Prefer not to use Zocdoc? Book directly: New patient visit (60 min) or Follow-up visit (30 min).
You can also call, or text through Spruce, at 508-978-6455 during open hours (Monday to Friday 8 AM to 11 PM, Saturday and Sunday 8 AM to 8 PM ET). For general administrative email, use info@auraintegra.com. Please do not include sensitive clinical details in ordinary email or text.
Urgent and Emergency Needs
This page is general information, not medical advice, and not crisis care.
- Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for immediate danger, overdose, severe medication reaction, inability to stay safe, or another medical emergency.
- Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
- Call the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445 for 24/7 support and connection to services.
- See all crisis resources.
Common Questions
Who can receive oral naltrexone care here?
Adults 18 and older who are physically located in Massachusetts at the time of each telehealth visit. Substance use treatment at Aura Integra is for adults only.
Can I start naltrexone if I have used opioids recently?
Not right away. Naltrexone can only be started after a period of time without any opioids, including buprenorphine and methadone, because starting too soon can cause sudden withdrawal. We plan the timing with you.
Do I have to stop drinking completely before starting?
No. You will not be asked to get sober first in order to be taken seriously. Cutting back is a legitimate goal to start with.
How much does a naltrexone follow up cost?
An oral naltrexone management follow up is $150 self pay. Naltrexone care for adults can also be billed to Cigna, Aetna, and Curative commercial plans through Headway. The initial evaluation fee and sliding scale are on the Insurance and Fees page.