The Pill Patients Saved | The Current
Oar Health Editorial Team
Published: Feb 03, 2026
Last updated: Feb 03, 2026
In This Article
Welcome back to The Current, your source for the latest news, perspective and resources from Oar Health.
The Oar Perspective: The Pill Patients Saved
Naltrexone, a safe and effective medication proven to help people drink less or quit, is the pill that patients saved.
That’s the headline in Oar Health senior adviser Dr. Joseph Volpicelli’s recent op-ed in MedCity News.
He describes how naltrexone reduces cravings and dulls alcohol’s buzz, but nonetheless flopped after its approval for treating alcohol problems in 1995 as the institutions charged with treating addiction refused to use it. Until a grassroots movement of patient advocates self-organized to spread the word, support each other, and demand access to effective medications. Now considered a gold standard, naltrexone survived because patients and communities kept it alive.
At Oar Health, we are proud to be a partner to the patient-led movement for access to safe, effective medications by providing a convenient, private way to get started with naltrexone and get ongoing expert advice.
Oar Member Story: Lost The Desire To Drink!
"Since day one I didn't have that internal conflict starting at 4 pm.
'Should I have a drink, what if I just have one?'
I am truly amazed at how well this works for me. I tried for years to stop and I did for a while, but always had a desire to try to moderate.
That desire is gone!"
Trustpilot Review, January 25th, 2026
AUD In The News
Rethinking Your Drinking? Watch For These 5 Signs | New York Times
“If you’re re-evaluating your relationship to alcohol, here are some … signs experts said you should pay attention to.”
Can Heavy Drinkers Learn To Moderate? | Psychology Today
“The most straightforward answer is that some can, some cannot, and others simply do not yet know. What matters most is not forcing a premature conclusion but instead creating therapeutic pathways that invite people into meaningful change rather than excluding them at the door.”
Little-Known Prescription Pill Is Helping Americans Drink Less Alcohol | Fox News
“Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors in the brain to reduce alcohol cravings and effects.”
About The Author
Oar is a telemedicine platform that makes science-backed, medication-assisted addiction treatment approachable and accessible for millions of consumers who feel excluded by the current treatment landscape and who may have a wide range of goals, from moderation to abstinence.
Related Articles
- How It Works
- Alcohol & Health
- Alcohol Misuse & Alcohol Use Disorder
- Strategies to Drink Less or Quit
- Treatment Options
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Recovery Stories
- Member Stories
- Moderation Stories
- Sobriety Stories
- ¹ Oar Health membership plans include access to the Oar Health platform, virtual consultations with a healthcare professional, and medication if prescribed by a healthcare provider. 3 month membership plan costs $297, equating to $99/mo.
- ² Self-reported by members after 6 months of Oar Health membership.
- ³ Verywell Health survey of Oar Health members, published March, 2023.
- ⁴ Prescription medication is available only if prescribed by a licensed clinician.
- ⁵ Compounded medications are prepared based on a prescription from a healthcare provider. They are not reviewed by the FDA for safety or efficacy.
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.
