Vivitrol Used in Treatment - Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs - Hopkins, SC.

Vivitrol is a drug mainly administered to help prevent drug or alcohol use and relapse, and is administered specifically for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription pain killers. Vivitrol is an extended release type of the medication Naltrexone, that is available via injection once a month. It isn't addictive, and is what is known as an antagonist. When someone is adminstered Vivitrol, it cuts off the receptors that would usually be activated by opioids or alcohol, so when an individual takes a drink of alcohol or tries to get high on opioids they basically cannot get drunk or high.

There are certain safety measures that should be be taken before an individual is administered Vivitrol. Firstly, a person who plans to begin Vivitrol needs to have abstained from opioids for a minimum of seven to ten days. This includes clients who are involved in opioid maintenance therapy and are being given medications such as Buprenorphine or Methadone. For a heroin abuser or a person who has been on Methadone for several years, quitting quickly can be very difficult, but withdrawal is something they will have to endure for at least seven days if they want to begin taking Vivitrol.

These drugs must be used in conjunction with a treatment program in Hopkins that also includes individual therapy, group therapy and medical supervision. Speak to 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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