A Clear, Medically Supervised Journey From Preparation to Recovery.
The implant itself is only one part of the DeBinge programme. Treatment begins with medical assessment and appropriate preparation, continues through the implant procedure, and is followed by recovery support and one year of professional counseling.
Four Stages — Each With a Different Purpose.
We want patients to understand what happens before, during and after treatment rather than arriving in Nassau without knowing what to expect.
Consultation
We begin by understanding the addiction, current medication, previous treatment and what the patient wants to achieve.
Medical Preparation
The medical team assesses health, withdrawal requirements, medication interactions and whether the patient is ready for naltrexone.
Implant Procedure
Once medically cleared, the naltrexone implant is placed beneath the skin using a minor clinical procedure and local anaesthesia.
Recovery & Counseling
Clinical aftercare is followed by ongoing professional counseling and longer-term recovery planning.
Preparation Is Part of the Treatment — Not a Formality.
Before naltrexone is administered, your medical team needs to understand your substance use, medications and general health.
This is especially important for anyone using opioids, because naltrexone must not be given while a patient remains physically dependent on them.
Medical History
Relevant health conditions, previous procedures and current symptoms are reviewed.
Substance & Medication Review
The team needs accurate information about alcohol, opioids, prescription medication and other substances.
Relevant Medical Testing
The treating clinician determines whether laboratory testing or other assessment is required before treatment.
Clinical Clearance
The procedure goes ahead only when the treating team determines that naltrexone is medically appropriate.
No Opioid-Free Waiting Window Before Starting Treatment at DeBinge.
Starting naltrexone while a person is still physically dependent on opioids can trigger sudden, severe precipitated withdrawal. At DeBinge, opioid-dependent patients are managed through a medically supervised 4-to-5-day buprenorphine transition, with implantation typically around day 4 or 5 when clinically appropriate. The required interval depends on the opioid involved and the individual's clinical circumstances.
People transitioning from longer-acting opioids such as methadone or buprenorphine may require longer preparation. The treating clinician determines the appropriate timing — patients should not attempt to accelerate this themselves.
What Actually Happens?
After final clinical review, the patient is prepared for implantation. The treatment area is cleaned and local anaesthetic is used to numb the site.
A small incision is then made and the implant material is placed in the subcutaneous tissue beneath the skin, typically around the lower abdominal area.
The site is then closed and dressed appropriately, followed by a period of observation and individual aftercare instructions.
Final Medical Review
The clinician confirms that the patient remains medically appropriate to proceed.
Local Anaesthesia
The insertion area is numbed so the procedure can be performed without general anaesthesia.
Subcutaneous Placement
The implant is positioned beneath the skin through a small incision using sterile surgical technique.
Dressing & Observation
The site is dressed and the patient receives instructions for the immediate recovery period.
From Arrival to Aftercare
Arrive & Review
Meet the clinical team and complete the final medical checks required before implantation.
Prepare the Site
The treatment area is cleaned and numbed using local anaesthetic.
Place the Implant
The implant is inserted beneath the skin through a small incision.
Recover & Go Forward
The site is dressed, instructions are provided and recovery continues beyond the procedure.
The Implant Is Designed to Release Naltrexone Gradually.
The active medication is naltrexone. The difference from a daily tablet is the delivery system: sustained-release formulations are designed to provide medication exposure over an extended period.
The exact release profile and duration depend on the formulation and the individual patient, so your doctor should explain what is expected from the specific implant being used.
For Opioid Use Disorder
Naltrexone occupies opioid receptors, substantially reducing the usual euphoric and sedating effects of opioids while adequate blockade is active. It can also reduce opioid craving.
For Alcohol Use Disorder
Naltrexone can reduce alcohol craving and the rewarding or reinforcing effects associated with drinking. It does not physically prevent a person from consuming alcohol.
Why Long-Acting Delivery?
Sustained delivery reduces reliance on remembering or choosing to take an oral naltrexone tablet every day.
The Implant Site Needs Time to Heal.
Your clinical team gives individual wound-care and activity instructions before you leave. Following those instructions is an important part of the procedure.
Protect the Site
Keep the insertion area and dressing cared for according to your clinician's instructions and avoid disturbing the healing wound.
Activity Is Individual
Swimming, strenuous exercise and other activities involving the treatment area should wait until the medical team confirms that they are appropriate.
Know When to Contact Us
Increasing redness, swelling, discharge, significant pain, fever or another concerning change should be reported to the medical team.
Local Reactions Are Possible
As with any subcutaneous implant procedure, local effects such as discomfort, redness, swelling, itching or wound complications can occur.
Your treating team explains the expected healing process, how to care for the site and what symptoms should prompt medical review.
The Implant Can Support Recovery. Counseling Helps Build What Comes Next.
Addiction does not exist only at the receptor level. It can become connected with relationships, stress, trauma, work, boredom, routines and the environment a person returns to.
Medication does not automatically change those things. That is why the DeBinge programme includes one year of professional counseling.
The purpose is to use the period of medication-supported stability to work on triggers, coping strategies, relationships, confidence and a practical plan for life after treatment.
Continuous Delivery Does Not Mean Every Patient Has an Identical Duration.
Sustained-release naltrexone formulations are designed to maintain medication exposure for substantially longer than daily oral dosing, but duration is not identical across products or patients.
Pharmacokinetic & Safety Research
The O'Neil Long Acting Naltrexone Implant has been evaluated in a completed U.S. pharmacokinetic and safety study.
The study followed naltrexone blood concentrations for an extended period and demonstrated that release duration varied substantially between individuals.
Understand the Specific Implant You Are Receiving
Ask which implant formulation is being used, what release period is expected, what follow-up is recommended and what factors could influence medication exposure.
Results from one implant formulation should not automatically be assumed to apply to another.
Know What to Expect Before You Arrive.
Where is the implant placed?
Naltrexone implants are placed beneath the skin, commonly in the lower abdominal area. The treating clinician determines the appropriate location.
Is general anaesthesia required?
The implantation procedure is generally performed using local anaesthesia rather than general anaesthesia. Your clinical team explains the exact plan beforehand.
Will I feel the procedure?
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the procedure site. Some pressure or awareness of the area may still occur, and discomfort during healing varies between patients.
Do I need to stay in hospital?
The implant is typically performed as a minor clinical procedure rather than requiring routine inpatient hospitalization. Your individual medical circumstances determine the appropriate level of observation.
When can I swim or exercise?
Follow the wound-care instructions provided by your treating clinician. Swimming, strenuous exercise and activities that place stress on the implant area should wait until the site has healed sufficiently and you are medically cleared.
Can I receive naltrexone if I have recently used opioids?
Naltrexone must not be started while a patient remains physically dependent on opioids. An appropriate opioid-free period is required to avoid precipitated withdrawal, and the treating doctor determines the timing.
Is naltrexone addictive?
No. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist and does not produce an opioid-type high or opioid physical dependence.
Does the implant guarantee I will not relapse?
No treatment can guarantee that. Long-acting medication can provide an important layer of support, but recovery also requires continued behavioral and psychological work.
Explore the Research Behind Naltrexone Treatment.
Find Out What Your Individual Treatment Journey Would Look Like.
Your first step is a free consultation. Tell us what you are dealing with, what medication or substances you currently use and what you want your recovery to achieve.
This page provides general educational information and does not replace individual medical advice. Treatment suitability, withdrawal management, opioid-free preparation, procedure timing, wound care and post-procedure activity are determined individually by qualified healthcare professionals. Naltrexone must not be initiated in a person who remains physically dependent on opioids because it can precipitate severe withdrawal. Naltrexone itself is an established medication for opioid and alcohol use disorders; evidence, duration and regulatory status differ between oral, injectable and sustained-release implant formulations.