How To Start Clutch™: The Fast-Acting Naltrexone Mint

Karen Dion
Published: Sep 17, 2025
Last updated: Sep 17, 2025

Clutch™ is a mint-flavored, orally dissolvable tablet (ODT) designed specifically for targeted naltrexone use. It works quickly, tastes fresh, and may come with fewer side effects. Packaged with a convenient and discreet tin, Clutch™ is easy to carry with you, so that you always have support on hand. If your goal is to drink less and take back control, this guide will show you how to use Clutch™ effectively.

How Clutch™ Works

When you drink alcohol, your brain releases endorphins, the chemicals that make drinking feel pleasurable and reinforce the urge to continue. Naltrexone blocks this effect, so alcohol no longer carries the same pull. With that grip loosened, you’re free to make clearer choices and regain control over how and when you drink.

Why Clutch™ Is Different

Clutch™ is fast-acting. It dissolves under your tongue and enters your bloodstream quickly.

Clutch™ is gentle on your body. It bypasses first pass digestion and thereby reduces the likelihood of nauseau or stomach upset.

Clutch™ tastes fresh. It's mint-flavored, which makes it easy to take consistently.

Clutch™ is portable and discreet. Each on-the-go tin holds your mints securely, so you can keep them with you at home, at work, or when you are out socially.

How to Take Clutch™

Clutch™ is designed to work best with targeted or “as-needed” use of naltrexone. That means you take it before you drink, not necessarily every day.

  • Dissolve 1 mint under your tongue at least 30 minutes before your first drink.
  • Let it dissolve fully. Do not chew or swallow it whole.
  • If your drinking session lasts more than 4 hours, you may take a second mint.
  • Do not take more than 2 mints per day. If you find you are drinking more frequently, check with your Oar medical provider to discuss a dosage increase.

Consistency is key. Take Clutch™ every time you drink. Skipping doses reduces effectiveness.

What to Expect in the First Few Weeks

  • Some people notice a difference right away, while others see gradual change.
  • Clutch™ helps reduce the “urge to keep going” after your first drink, making it easier to stop or slow down.
  • Common early side effects can include mild nausea, dizziness, or headache. These usually fade within a week or two.
  • If you are sensitive, you can start with half a mint until your body adjusts.

Safety Notes

  • Do not take Clutch™ if you use opioids, including prescription painkillers, Suboxone, methadone, or street drugs like heroin or fentanyl.
  • Avoid use if pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
  • Alcohol can still intoxicate you. Do not drive or operate machinery after drinking.
  • Contact your provider if you experience side effects that concern you or do not go away.
  • Clutch™ is a compounded medication. Compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under Federal law, but are not FDA-approved.

Boosting Your Success

  • Track your drinking with an app, journal, or calendar to see your progress clearly.
  • Pair Clutch™ with new routines, coaching, or peer support to reinforce lasting change.
  • Stick with it. Each time you take Clutch™ before drinking, you are retraining your brain to weaken alcohol’s hold.

Final Word

Clutch™ was designed for targeted, “as-needed” dosing — sometimes known as The Sinclair Method — an approach that works especially well for people who want to cut back on drinking while gaining more control over their choices. Each mint helps ease alcohol’s grip, and over time, that change builds confidence, strengthens control, and opens the door to greater freedom.

This isn’t just a mint. It’s your choice to take back control.

About The Author

Karen Dion is the Director of Coaching at Oar Health, a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, and a Licensed Addiction Counselor. She is also co-founder of the Naltrexone Alliance (naltrexonealliance.org), which brings together scientists, clinicians, and individuals with firsthand experience to empower people with knowledge about the potential of naltrexone to help those at risk for or struggling with alcohol addiction. After using naltrexone to successfully change her own relationship with alcohol eight years ago, Karen now leads a team dedicated to helping others navigate alcohol recovery treatment, achieve moderation or abstinence goals, and reclaim a life of clarity, freedom, and health.

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How To Start Naltrexone: Your First Steps Toward Change

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Naltrexone is a prescription medication used to treat alcohol dependence. It is available only if prescribed by a healthcare provider. You should not take naltrexone if you use opioids, including prescription drugs or street drugs that contain opioids, as naltrexone can cause sudden opioid withdrawal. Common side effects of naltrexone include nausea, sleepiness, headache, dizziness, vomiting, decreased appetite, painful joints, muscle cramps, and trouble sleeping. These are not all of the side effects of naltrexone. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
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