Maintenance on which medication is an alternative strategy for some opioid-dependent clients?

Maintenance on which medication is an alternative strategy for some opioid-dependent clients?

• A. Naltrexone
• B. Methadone
• C. Buprenorphine
• D. Clonidine

Answer: (A)

Antagonist maintenance with naltrexone can be an option for opioid-dependent clients who want to stay off opioids and avoid ongoing opioid substitution therapy. Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, so if opioids are used while on it, the user does not feel the typical rewarding effects. This makes it a different approach from methadone or buprenorphine, which are opioid agonists or partial agonists that provide a safer opioid substitute to prevent withdrawal and cravings. It’s not used during active withdrawal; it requires the client to be detoxified first to avoid precipitated withdrawal. Long-acting injectable forms can help with adherence. Clonidine, by contrast, supports withdrawal symptom relief during detox but does not serve as a ongoing maintenance strategy to prevent relapse.

Antagonist maintenance with naltrexone can be an option for opioid-dependent clients who want to stay off opioids and avoid ongoing opioid substitution therapy. Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, so if opioids are used while on it, the user does not feel the typical rewarding effects. This makes it a different approach from methadone or buprenorphine, which are opioid agonists or partial agonists that provide a safer opioid substitute to prevent withdrawal and cravings. It’s not used during active withdrawal; it requires the client to be detoxified first to avoid precipitated withdrawal. Long-acting injectable forms can help with adherence. Clonidine, by contrast, supports withdrawal symptom relief during detox but does not serve as a ongoing maintenance strategy to prevent relapse.