Naltrexone: Your Guide to Overcoming Alcohol Cravings
Key Takeaways:
Naltrexone helps reduce alcohol cravings by blocking endorphin reinforcement.
It targets the endorphin system, not dopamine, changing the reward pathway in the brain.
Cravings are learned responses linked to the brain’s reward mechanisms.
Naltrexone is most effective when used consistently with the Sinclair Method.
Support is available in the UK for those seeking recovery through pharmacological extinction.
Overcoming alcohol cravings isn’t about willpower — it’s about changing how the brain reacts to alcohol. That’s where Naltrexone comes in. This medication, when used correctly, can interrupt the reward cycle that fuels compulsive drinking. In this guide, we’ll explore exactly how Naltrexone works, what cravings really are, and how this medication rewires the brain's response to alcohol.
How Does Naltrexone Work?
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist, which might sound complex, but the principle is straightforward. When we drink alcohol, the brain releases endorphins — natural chemicals that produce feelings of pleasure. These endorphins bind to opioid receptors, reinforcing the urge to drink more.
Naltrexone blocks those receptors, so when alcohol is consumed, the pleasurable response is muted or eliminated. Over time, this leads to what's known as pharmacological extinction — drinking becomes less rewarding, and the habit gradually fades.
This method is a key part of the Sinclair Method, a structured approach to alcohol recovery where Naltrexone is taken one hour before drinking, not daily. This timing is crucial for extinguishing the association between alcohol and pleasure.
✅ You can read more about access and availability of this treatment in the UK in our post: Is Naltrexone Available on the NHS?
Understanding the Endorphin Reward System
Let’s take a closer look at endorphins, often referred to as the body's "natural opiates." When released, they create feelings of euphoria, calm, or pleasure — a chemical reward that reinforces behaviours like eating, exercising, and, yes, drinking alcohol.
Endorphin vs Dopamine: What’s the Difference?
Here’s how they differ in the context of alcohol cravings:
Endorphins:
Provide the actual feeling of pleasure or euphoria.
Released when drinking alcohol, exercising, laughing, or eating.
Blocked by Naltrexone to reduce the rewarding effect of alcohol.
Dopamine:
Drives motivation — the “want” or craving to seek a reward.
Spikes in anticipation of a reward, like planning a drink or thinking about alcohol.
Not directly affected by Naltrexone but influenced as the endorphin reward weakens.
Together, they form a powerful loop. Naltrexone breaks the cycle by removing the “pleasure” from drinking, which in turn weakens the desire.
What Are Alcohol Cravings, Really?
Cravings are not random urges. They’re conditioned responses, built over time through repeated behaviours and reward feedback. When you drink alcohol and experience pleasure, the brain creates a neural connection that says, "This is good — do it again."
Over time, triggers like stress, social settings, or even time of day can activate these learned patterns, leading to strong cravings. These are neurobiological, not purely emotional — and that’s why targeted medical interventions like Naltrexone can be so effective.
How Naltrexone Reduces Cravings Over Time
The process of pharmacological extinction works by weakening the brain’s association between alcohol and pleasure. Here’s what you can expect over time:
Week 1–2:
You may still feel the urge to drink, but the “buzz” is noticeably dulled.
Week 3–6:
Cravings begin to ease as the brain stops associating alcohol with pleasure.
Week 7–12:
Drinking becomes more of a neutral experience — it no longer feels necessary.
Beyond 3 months:
Many people feel indifferent to alcohol, and cravings become minimal or disappear altogether.
This is a gradual, empowering process — not about going cold turkey but about giving your brain time to unlearn.
Getting Started with Naltrexone in the UK
At Rethink Drink, we specialise in helping people recover through the Sinclair Method, using Naltrexone as a tool to overcome cravings.
You might have questions about whether it's right for you, or how it fits with your current habits. That’s why we offer a free screening call to help you understand your options and build a personalised plan.
Still have more questions? Our detailed FAQ page covers everything from how long Naltrexone takes to work to what side effects you might experience.
Final Thoughts: Empower Your Recovery Journey
Naltrexone doesn’t force abstinence — it empowers choice. By reducing the reward, it takes alcohol off the pedestal, making moderation or abstinence a more natural outcome. For many of us, that shift changes everything.
If you’re struggling with cravings or looking for a new approach to drinking less, Naltrexone could be the missing link. With support, guidance, and the right tools, recovery becomes not only possible — but sustainable.