Vivitrol is a med used to help prevent drug or alcohol use and relapse, and is administered expressly for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription pain killers. Vivitrol is an extended release type of the drug Naltrexone, that is available through injection once a month. It is not addictive, and is what is known as an antagonist. When an individual injects Vivitrol, it cuts off the receptors that would normally be triggered by opioids or alcohol, so when an individual drinks alcohol or tries to get high on opioids they basically cannot get high or drunk.
There are particular precautions that need to be taken before an individual begins treatment with Vivitrol. First off, a person who intends to start Vivitrol must have been off of opioids for a minimum of seven to ten days. This is including individuals who are involved in opioid maintenance therapy and are taking meds such as Methadone or Buprenorphine. For a heroin abuser or a person who has been on Methadone for a long time, abrupt cessation can be very difficult, but withdrawal is something they will have to go through for at least 7 days in order to begin taking Vivitrol.
These meds must be used in conjunction with an addiction treatment program in Gloucester that also offers medical supervision, individual therapy, and group therapy. Speak with your therapist or Dr. about how pharmacological tools can help you maintain and build the drug and alcohol free life you want.
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