Vivitrol Used in Treatment - Alcohol and Drug Rehab Facilities - Norwood, LA.

Vivitrol is a drug mainly administered to help prevent drug or alcohol dependency and relapse, and is administered specifically for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription medications. Vivitrol is an extended-release version of the medication Naltrexone, that is available through injection once a month. It is not addictive, and is what is called an antagonist. When an individual injects Vivitrol, it cuts off the receptors that would usually be activated by alcohol or opioids, so when an individual takes a drink of alcohol or tries to get high on opioids they essentially can't get high or drunk.

There are certain precautions that should be be taken before someone begins treatment with Vivitrol. Firstly, a person who intends to begin Vivitrol needs to have been off of opioids for a minimum of 7-10 days. This includes individuals who are participating in opioid maintenance therapy and are taking meds such as Methadone or Buprenorphine. For a heroin abuser or someone who has been taking Methadone for a long time, abrupt cessation can be brutal, but withdrawal is something they will have to go through for at least 7 days in order to start Vivitrol.

These meds must be used in conjunction with an addiction treatment program in Norwood which also includes individual therapy, group therapy and medical supervision. Talk with your therapist or doctor about how pharmacological tools can help you maintain and build the drug and alcohol free life you want.

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