Why would Salvation Army Clitheroe discourage Naltrexone?
Many people who work in addictions feel that people who are addicted have a moral flaw that causes their addiction. A common (but seldom spoken) sentiment is that addictions are an opportunity to force a person (i.e., an addict) into a “moral” lifestyle. If you just gave a pill to an addict or alcoholic you would have no opportunity to “teach proper living” or “save their soul”. In fact this view may be appropriate (in my opinion) for certain addicts, but not for those with whom Naltrexone is likely to be effective. Some addicts have a biological sensitivity to alcohol that will not change no matter how much religion you give them. For those, Naltrexone is a better choice than a rehab. Promoting Naltrexone would reduce the percentage of clients at a rehab who are insured. If Naltrexone were encouraged, most of those who would use it would be those who have insurance. The result would be a decrease in the number of insured people in conventional rehab.
