Vivitrol Used in Treatment - Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers - DHS, VA.

Vivitrol is a medication mainly administered to help prevent drug use and relapse, and is administered specifically for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription medications. Vivitrol is an extended release type of the medication Naltrexone, which one can get via a monthly injection. It isn't habit forming, and is what is called an antagonist. When an individual takes Vivitrol, it cuts off the receptors that would normally be activated by opioids or alcohol, so when an individual drinks or tries to get high on opioids they basically cannot get drunk or high.

There are particular precautions that need to be taken before an individual is administered Vivitrol. First off, an individual who intends to start Vivitrol needs to have been off of opioids for a minimum of seven to ten days. This is including people who are participating in opioid maintenance therapy and are being given meds such as Methadone or Buprenorphine. For a heroin addict or someone who has been on Methadone for several years, abrupt cessation is very difficult, but withdrawal is something they will have to endure for at least seven days if they want to start Vivitrol.

These medications must be used as part of an addiction treatment program in DHS which also offers medical supervision, individual therapy, and group therapy. Speak to your doctor or therapist in regards to how pharmacological tools can help you maintain the drug and alcohol free life you want.

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