No. Naltrexone is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), it is not addictive, and it has no potential for abuse. It is a standard prescription medication, which is why it can be prescribed online and refilled without the special restrictions that apply to controlled drugs.
People often ask this because naltrexone is used to treat addiction, and some other addiction medicines, like methadone and buprenorphine, are controlled. Naltrexone is different. It blocks opioid receptors instead of activating them, so it cannot produce a high or create dependence.
Is naltrexone a controlled substance?
Naltrexone is not a controlled substance anywhere in the United States. Controlled substances are drugs the federal government restricts because they can be abused or cause dependence, and each one is placed on a numbered schedule. Naltrexone is not on any of those schedules. It is treated like an ordinary prescription medication, such as a blood pressure pill or an antibiotic.
This is true for both forms of naltrexone: the daily 50 mg pill (ReVia) and the once-a-month injection (Vivitrol). Because it is not controlled, there are no special limits on refills, no requirement to visit a specific type of clinic, and no need for a paper prescription. A licensed provider can prescribe it during a telehealth visit and send it to a regular pharmacy or straight to your door.
The daily pill
One 50 mg tablet a day (ReVia). A standard prescription with no special refill limits.
Not scheduledThe monthly shot
One injection a month (Vivitrol). Also not scheduled, and just as easy to get by telehealth.
Not scheduledWhat does “controlled substance” mean?
A controlled substance is a drug regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act because it carries a risk of abuse or dependence. The DEA sorts these drugs into five groups, called schedules, from Schedule I (the highest risk, such as heroin) to Schedule V (the lowest). The more a drug can be misused, the tighter the rules around prescribing and refilling it.
Naltrexone does not fit any of these schedules because it has no abuse potential. There is nothing rewarding about taking it. You cannot get high, you cannot become dependent, and there is no street market for it. That is why regulators never placed it under control.
Why naltrexone is not controlled
The reason comes down to how naltrexone works. Drugs that get abused, including opioids and alcohol, switch on the brain’s opioid receptors and create a rush of reward. Naltrexone does the opposite. It sits on those same receptors and blocks them, so nothing can switch them on. There is no pleasure signal, so there is nothing to chase and nothing to get hooked on.
Is naltrexone addictive?
No. Naltrexone is not addictive and does not cause physical dependence. You will not develop cravings for it, you will not need higher and higher doses, and you will not go through withdrawal if you stop. This is one of the features that makes it a safe, long-term option for treating alcohol or opioid use disorder.
Naltrexone vs. other addiction medications
This table shows why naltrexone stands apart from the other common medications used in addiction treatment.
| Medication | Used for | DEA schedule | Can it be misused? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naltrexone | Alcohol and opioid use disorder | Not scheduled | No |
| Buprenorphine (Suboxone) | Opioid use disorder | Schedule III | Some potential |
| Methadone | Opioid use disorder | Schedule II | Yes |
Naltrexone is the only one of the three that is not controlled, because it is the only one that blocks opioid receptors rather than activating them.
What this means for you
Because naltrexone is not a controlled substance, getting it is simple. A provider can start you on it during a telehealth visit, refills are easy, and you do not have to go to a special clinic or bring a paper script to the pharmacy. It also means fewer hoops and less stigma, so treatment can fit quietly into your life. Learn more on our full naltrexone for alcohol guide or the main alcohol treatment guide.
Naltrexone treatment is coming to Recovery Delivered
See a provider by video, or handle everything by secure message. Your choice, same care, medication mailed to your door. Join the waitlist to be first in line when we open.
No spam. We will only email you about naltrexone for alcohol at Recovery Delivered.Frequently asked questions
Is naltrexone a controlled substance?
Is naltrexone a narcotic?
Is naltrexone addictive?
Do you need a prescription for naltrexone?
Daniel R. Karlin, MD, MA
Board-certified psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist. Author of 21+ peer-reviewed publications (1,355 citations) including recent work in JAMA (2025) and the British Journal of Psychiatry (2023).
- Sources. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Controlled Substance Schedules (naltrexone is not listed on any schedule).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Prescribing information for naltrexone (ReVia) and naltrexone extended-release injectable (Vivitrol).
- Singh D, Saadabadi A. Naltrexone. StatPearls. National Library of Medicine.
This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Naltrexone is a prescription medication. Talk with a licensed provider about whether it is right for you.
