Naltrexone Implant
A naltrexone implant is a small subcutaneous depot that releases an opioid receptor antagonist over roughly three months. It is not a cure for addiction and it does not replace therapy. What it does is remove the reward from using, which buys a patient time to do the work that actually changes behaviour. We place implants at our inpatient centre near Warsaw, in English, for patients travelling from the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere.
What a naltrexone implant is
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist. It occupies the receptors that opioids bind to, and that alcohol partly acts through, without activating them. The implant is a compressed depot placed under the skin, usually in the lower abdominal wall, which releases the drug steadily instead of requiring a daily decision from the patient.
That last point is the entire clinical argument for the implant. Oral naltrexone works, but it asks a person in early recovery to choose, every morning, to keep the block in place. The implant removes that choice from the equation for around three months.
What naltrexone does and what it does not do
| What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|
| Blocks the euphoric effect of opioids | Does not treat the psychological side of addiction |
| Reduces the reward obtained from drinking | Does not remove craving in every patient |
| Lowers the value of a lapse, so episodes tend to be shorter | Does not physically prevent anyone from using |
| Provides a stable blockade without daily dosing | Does not replace psychotherapy or aftercare |
Implant, injection or tablets
Naltrexone exists in three forms. Patients arriving from the United States often already know the extended release injection, so it is worth setting the three side by side.
| Form | How it is given | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Tablets | Orally, every day | About a day, requires consistent adherence |
| Extended release injection | Intramuscularly, at intervals | About a month, then a further injection |
| Subcutaneous implant | Minor surgical procedure | About 90 days, no removal needed |
Patients sometimes ask about implants advertised as lasting six or twelve months. Those exist and use larger or differently formulated depots. We use one preparation and state its duration as about 90 days rather than quoting a figure it does not support.
Other names for the same treatment
Patients rarely search using the clinical term. If you arrived here after looking for something else, you are almost certainly in the right place.
| What people call it | What it refers to |
|---|---|
| Opioid blocker, opiate blocker implant | Accurate. Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist, so blocker describes it well |
| Heroin implant, heroin blocker implant | The same implant, named after the substance rather than the drug inside it |
| Drug implant, anti drug implant, addiction implant | Loose terms for any implanted deterrent. Usually naltrexone, sometimes disulfiram |
| Naltrexone pellet | The same product. Pellet describes the physical form of the depot |
| Implant for drug addiction | Correct as a description, although the implant treats one part of the problem and not all of it |
One distinction is worth keeping straight. An implant given for alcohol alone is often disulfiram, which works in the opposite direction to naltrexone. That is a different procedure and we describe it on a separate page.
Why patients travel for a naltrexone implant
In the United States, subcutaneous naltrexone implants are not approved by the FDA. The only naltrexone formulations approved there are the oral tablet and the extended release injection for intramuscular use. Compounded naltrexone pellets fall outside that approval, which is also why American health insurers do not reimburse them.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, naltrexone implant clinics are few and private rather than part of routine NHS care, so availability and cost vary considerably.
Patients from the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland usually contact us having already established that the question is not whether they want the treatment, but where to get a naltrexone implant at all. We set out the regulatory position plainly rather than implying the treatment is unavailable everywhere, because someone making a medical decision deserves the actual picture.
Patients travelling from abroad
Enquiries reach us from the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa and Australia. Availability and cost differ considerably between those countries, and that difference is usually what prompts someone to look outside their own system in the first place.
Practically, travelling here means four things. Detoxification must be completed and documented before you fly, because it cannot be compressed to fit a return ticket. Qualification and the procedure can normally take place on the same day once that condition is met. Assessment, procedure and aftercare instructions are all in English. The price is fixed in Polish zloty and quoted before you travel, so nothing is renegotiated on arrival.
If detoxification has not been done, plan for a longer stay and speak to us before booking anything.
Naltrexone implant cost and what it covers
The naltrexone implant cost here is fixed and quoted before you travel. There is no separate charge for the qualification appointment.
Price
6,900 PLN. At current central bank rates that is roughly 1,850 USD, 1,600 EUR or 1,370 GBP. The charge is made in Polish zloty, so the naltrexone implant price in your currency depends on the rate on the day.
What it includes
Medical qualification, the procedure itself, the implant, and written aftercare instructions.
What it does not include
Detoxification, inpatient stay and therapy are separate elements of treatment and are priced separately.
Travel and accommodation
Flights, transfers and any stay beyond the procedure are arranged and paid for by the patient unless agreed otherwise in advance.
Detoxification and qualification
An implant cannot be placed in a patient who still has opioids in their system. Doing so triggers precipitated withdrawal, which is abrupt, severe and occasionally dangerous. This is not a formality that can be waived because someone has already booked a flight.
Before placement we need the following to be true.
- A completed, documented detoxification. As a guide, the opioid free interval is roughly 7 to 10 days after heroin and other short acting opioids.
- Buprenorphine and Suboxone require the longest interval, commonly up to two weeks, and methadone at least 10 days and often more. The exact figure is a medical decision taken at qualification, not something to plan from a calendar.
- Liver function tests, because naltrexone is metabolised in the liver and acute hepatitis or liver failure is a contraindication.
- A medical assessment covering current medication, in particular any opioid painkillers.
- A realistic plan for what happens after the three months, because the implant is a window, not an endpoint.
If detoxification has not been completed, it can be carried out here first. See inpatient medically supervised detox.
What the visit involves
Patients arrive at the centre in Lomianki Dolne, about 10 km from central Warsaw. The qualification appointment and the procedure can usually take place on the same day, provided the detoxification requirement has already been met and documented.
The naltrexone implant procedure itself takes 20 to 30 minutes under local anaesthetic. The implant is placed subcutaneously through a small incision. Patients leave with written aftercare instructions covering wound care, what to avoid, and what to tell any doctor who treats them over the following three months.
Three things every patient must know
These are not side effects. They are consequences of how the blockade works, and each one has killed people who were not told.
- Precipitated withdrawal. Placing the implant while opioids are still present causes withdrawal that begins within minutes and is far more severe than natural withdrawal.
- Loss of tolerance. After three months without opioids, tolerance falls sharply. A dose that was once ordinary can be fatal once the blockade ends. This is the single most dangerous moment in the whole process.
- Blocked pain relief. Opioid analgesics will be largely ineffective while the implant is active. Every doctor, dentist, surgeon and paramedic who treats you must be told that you carry a naltrexone implant.
Does naltrexone work for cocaine and other stimulants
Stimulants do not act primarily on opioid receptors, so naltrexone does not block them the way it blocks heroin. The opioid system does, however, take part in how reward is experienced, and the literature is more interesting than a simple no. In our own practice patients who use cocaine or mephedrone report reduced intensity of use after placement, which is consistent with the pattern seen in gambling research rather than with a full blockade.
| Substance or behaviour | What the evidence supports |
|---|---|
| Opioids | Full receptor blockade, the licensed and best evidenced use |
| Alcohol | Reduced reward and reduced heavy drinking, well documented |
| Amphetamine | A randomised placebo controlled trial showed fewer positive urine tests and reduced craving with oral naltrexone |
| Methamphetamine | Benefit was shown for extended release naltrexone combined with bupropion. Naltrexone alone did not outperform placebo |
| Cocaine | No blockade. A reduced drive to use has been described, most often where alcohol is involved as well. Use outside the licensed indication |
| Gambling | Several controlled trials point to a reduced urge to gamble. Use outside the licensed indication |
The active substance is the same naltrexone in every form, and the opioid receptor blockade works the same way. What differs is the route of administration and the release rate. The studies above were carried out on the oral form and on the extended release intramuscular form, and that is what the results refer to.
Why patients who use cocaine report a benefit
Cocaine use rarely happens in isolation. In most patients it comes together with drinking, often within the same episode, because alcohol takes the edge off the comedown. The naltrexone research in this group was carried out precisely in people dependent on both substances at once.
There the mechanism is clear. Naltrexone acts on the alcohol side, and alcohol is one of the strongest triggers for returning to cocaine. Reducing drinking therefore reduces the number of situations in which someone reaches for the stimulant, even though the drug does not block its effect.
To that we add an observation from our own practice. Patients who come to us because of cocaine describe a reduced drive to use and less intense episodes after placement. That is clinical experience rather than a trial result, and it should be weighed as such.
In stimulant addiction the foundation therefore remains cocaine addiction treatment built on psychotherapy. Any use of naltrexone outside its licensed indication is a medical decision, taken individually and discussed with the patient.
Naltrexone for the Treatment of Amphetamine Dependence: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. American Journal of Psychiatry, 2008.
Bupropion and Naltrexone in Methamphetamine Use Disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 2021.
Extended observation of reduced methamphetamine use with combined naltrexone plus bupropion in the ADAPT-2 trial, 2024.
A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Opiate Antagonist Naltrexone in the Treatment of Pathological Gambling Urges, 2008.
Naltrexone for cocaine dependence treatment. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Subcutaneous Implantable Naltrexone Pellets, UnitedHealthcare medical policy, 2026, on FDA approval status.
Naltrexone and disulfiram, two different methods
Both are implanted, which is why patients confuse them, but they work in opposite directions.
| Naltrexone | Disulfiram | |
|---|---|---|
| Principle | Removes the reward from using | Creates an unpleasant reaction after alcohol |
| If the patient uses | Nothing dramatic happens, the effect is simply muted | A physical reaction that can be severe |
| Range | Opioids and alcohol | Alcohol only |
| Suits | Someone who wants to stop and needs the pull reduced | Someone who wants an external barrier |
The disulfiram equivalent is described on our page about the alcohol implant.
Who it may be considered for, and who not
May be considered
Patients who have completed detoxification, are motivated to stop, and whose main risk is impulsive relapse in the first months.
Also considered
Patients who have taken oral naltrexone but could not keep to daily dosing, and patients returning to an environment where the substance is easily available.
Not suitable
Anyone still using opioids, anyone in acute hepatitis or liver failure, and anyone in opioid substitution treatment that has not been properly discontinued.
Requires caution
Patients with chronic pain conditions who may need opioid analgesia, and patients with significant renal impairment.
Naltrexone implant side effects
Reported effects fall into two groups: those caused by the implant site, and those caused by the drug itself.
| Type | What patients report | Usual course |
|---|---|---|
| At the implant site | Pain, swelling, bruising, redness, occasionally infection | Settles within days. Infection needs treatment |
| Systemic, early | Nausea, headache, dizziness, reduced appetite | Usually the first two weeks |
| Systemic, later | Sleep disturbance, low mood, fatigue | Variable. Report it rather than waiting |
| Liver | Raised liver enzymes | Checked before placement, monitored where indicated |
Low mood deserves a separate mention. Some patients describe a flattening of pleasure in the first weeks, which is unsurprising given what the drug blocks. It usually eases, but it should be reported rather than endured, particularly by anyone with a history of depression.
Because naltrexone is metabolised in the liver, jaundice, dark urine or pain in the upper right abdomen during treatment require medical attention.
Naltrexone within a full treatment plan
An implant on its own changes the pharmacology and nothing else. The patients who do well with it are the ones who use the three months to build something: therapy, structure, a different set of daily habits, and a plan for the moment the blockade ends.
That is why we place implants as part of a treatment pathway rather than as a standalone procedure, and why the qualification conversation covers what happens after month three. Where a longer programme is appropriate, see alcohol addiction treatment.
When urgent medical help is needed
Seek immediate medical attention in the following situations.
- Signs of precipitated withdrawal after placement: sudden severe agitation, vomiting, cramping, profuse sweating.
- Spreading redness, heat, discharge or fever around the implant site.
- Jaundice, dark urine or pain in the upper right abdomen.
- Any attempt to overcome the blockade with higher opioid doses. This is a common cause of fatal overdose and needs urgent help, not a larger dose.
In a life threatening emergency in Poland call 112.
Beyond the implant
Alcohol Addiction TreatmentThe main indication for naltrexone
02
Prescription Opioid AddictionTreatment after full detoxification, an absolute condition
03
Inpatient DetoxThe step that must come before any implant
04
Cocaine Addiction TreatmentPsychotherapy is the foundation, medication only supports it
CLINICAL INQUIRY
The form is intended for submitting a clinical inquiry. Messages are delivered directly to the team responsible for treatment coordination.
FAQ – Naltrexone Implant
A long-acting subcutaneous form of naltrexone that releases the medication for approximately three months.
No. It may support abstinence but does not treat the underlying causes of addiction.
It may be safe following appropriate medical qualification and supervision.
Yes, exclusively after complete detoxification.
Yes. The entire process is conducted with full medical confidentiality.
An individualized continuing care plan may be developed, which can include outpatient therapy, follow-up consultations, and relapse prevention strategies.
Empathy, Confidentiality, and Clinical Safety
The treatment process is conducted under conditions of full confidentiality, with respect for patient dignity and individual needs.
The discreet setting of the facility and the continuous presence of the medical team ensure a sense of safety, stabilization, and anonymity at every stage of treatment.
Scope of Treatment and Clinical Responsibility
Inpatient treatment provided at Zeus Detox & Rehab focuses on medical stabilization, psychiatric evaluation, and intensive therapeutic intervention during the acute or advanced phase of a disorder.
Inpatient care does not replace long-term outpatient treatment, does not constitute a guarantee of specific clinical outcomes, and requires individual medical qualification. Planning of continued care, treatment continuity, and structured post-discharge support forms an integral part of the therapeutic process.
The scope and structure of treatment are determined individually by the clinical team based on the patient’s current medical and psychiatric condition, formal diagnosis, and applicable clinical standards. The content presented on this website is not intended for self-directed treatment decisions and does not substitute direct consultation with a licensed medical professional.
Medical and Educational Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and cannot replace an individual consultation with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional.
Addiction treatment and mental health care require individualized clinical assessment. Therapeutic decisions must be made exclusively by licensed healthcare professionals based on a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s condition. The described treatment model refers to clinical practice conducted in Poland, in accordance with applicable medical regulations and standards.
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Medical Content Review
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Last medical review: 09/2026