Substance Use & Dual Diagnosis Program

Naltrexone Treatment for Alcohol

Reviewed by Dr. Guillermo Rochin, Lead Psychiatrist & Co-Founder — Last updated September 2026

One procedure. 3 to 3.5 months of coverage. No long inpatient stay and no daily pill to remember — a medical treatment for people who want to stop drinking without pausing their life for weeks.

Contact Admissions See Pricing & Financing

Level of care: Outpatient or short residential
Clinical model: Subdermal implant (pellet)
Coverage duration: 3 to 3.5 months
Proximity: ~20 minutes from San Diego

COFEPRIS-regulated facility
Psychiatrist-led care
Family-first communication
Individualized treatment plans

What Naltrexone Is and How It Helps With Drinking

Medical consultation prior to naltrexone implant placement at Mind-U

Prior medical evaluation before the implant is placed

A blocker, not a substitute

Naltrexone is a medication that blocks alcohol's effect in the brain — it isn't habit-forming, doesn't produce euphoria, and isn't itself an addictive substance. By reducing alcohol's reinforcing effect, it helps the urge to drink lose intensity over time, giving the person room to build new habits without fighting the craving every day.

Not trading one dependency for another

Naltrexone isn't an opioid or a sedative — it's a blocker, not a substitute. It doesn't create physical dependence of its own, and there's nothing to taper off of when treatment ends.

Why Mind-U Uses the Implant, Not Just the Daily Pill

The naltrexone molecule exists in oral tablet and monthly injection form — both FDA-approved. The implant/pellet format specifically doesn't carry that same separate approval in the U.S.; it's accessed, as in Mexico, through compounding pharmacies with an individualized prescription, and is backed by clinical evidence on its use in relapse prevention.

One procedure, 3 to 3.5 months of coverage. Unlike a daily pill that depends on the patient remembering to take it, a single procedure covers this period.
Non-narcotic and non-addictive. As a blocker rather than an agonist, it doesn't produce euphoria or create physical dependence on its own.
Backed by clinical evidence. Long-acting naltrexone has been studied in randomized clinical trials, with significant reductions in relapse risk compared to standard care.
Applied only after medical clearance. It's never applied automatically — it requires prior labs and medical clearance confirming it's safe and appropriate for each case.

How One Procedure Can Change a Family's Trajectory

For many families, what wears them down most isn't one bad moment — it's the repeated uncertainty: the question of whether today's the day, whether this time is different. By taking the daily "pill or no pill" decision out of the equation, the implant gives the person and the people around them something they've often been missing: predictability.

It isn't a cure or a magic fix — it's a medical tool that reduces the urge to drink while the person rebuilds daily life, with or without additional psychological support depending on the case.

Professional help without pausing your life for weeks

The outpatient route is designed for people who don't require full residential stabilization — a fast medical alternative to a long treatment program or inpatient stay.

Mind-U's Detox and Stabilization Area

Two Ways to Access Treatment

Outpatient application

$1,900 USD

Requires prior lab work and medical clearance. Doesn't require full residential stabilization.

One-week residential stabilization + implant

$3,500 USD

Includes clinical supervision, psychological and psychiatric care during the stay, and the implant application.

Cost and Insurance

Mind-U is a private-pay program; many PPO plans offer out-of-network reimbursement, and our admissions team can help you understand what that looks like for your plan. See pricing and financing →

Want to Learn More First?

Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder: When Drinking Becomes a Problem → or Naltrexone Implant vs. Pill vs. Monthly Injection →

Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does naltrexone work the same way for alcohol as it does for opioids?

Naltrexone is supported by clinical evidence for relapse prevention in both opioid use and alcohol use disorder — in both cases it works by reducing the substance's reinforcing effect, though the pre-treatment evaluation is tailored to each case.

Do I need to stop drinking completely before getting the implant?

That's determined during the prior medical evaluation — the protocol and required labs depend on each person's history and current level of use.

How long does the implant's coverage last?

It provides 3 to 3.5 months of coverage from a single procedure. The exact duration within that range depends on the medical protocol for each case.

Is the naltrexone implant FDA-approved?

The molecule is approved in oral tablet and monthly injection form; the implant/pellet format specifically does not carry its own separate FDA approval in the U.S. — it's accessed through compounding pharmacies with an individualized prescription.

Do I need to be admitted as an inpatient to get this treatment?

Not necessarily — the outpatient route is available for those who don't require full residential stabilization. When the case calls for it, a one-week residential option with full clinical supervision is also available. See both options →

Is naltrexone the same as disulfiram (Antabuse)?

No. Disulfiram causes an unpleasant physical reaction if the person drinks alcohol. Naltrexone works differently — it blocks alcohol's reinforcing effect in the brain, without that punishment-style reaction.

How do I get a loved one into treatment when they don't believe they have a problem?

Confronting a loved one directly is rarely the most effective path — at Mind-U, working with a professional interventionist is generally recommended, since they can guide the family through the process in a structured, less confrontational way.

Professional help for alcohol use

No Long Inpatient Stay, No Weeks-Long Treatment

Confidential, no pressure — see how it works and whether naltrexone treatment is right for your case.

Call Admissions: +1 (619) 963-9025