Vivitrol Used in Treatment - Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs - Washington, VA.

Vivitrol is a drug used to help prevent drug or alcohol dependency and relapse, and is used expressly for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription pain killers. Vivitrol is an extended release version of the medication Naltrexone, that is available through a monthly injection. It is not habit forming, and is what is known as an antagonist. When someone takes Vivitrol, it cuts off the receptors that would usually be triggered by opioids or alcohol, so when an individual drinks or takes opioids they basically cannot get high or drunk.

There are certain precautions that should be be taken before an individual is administered Vivitrol. First off, an individual who intends to begin Vivitrol needs to have been off of opioids for at least 7-10 days. This is including people who are participating in opioid maintenance therapy and are taking drugs like Buprenorphine or Methadone. For a heroin abuser or someone who has been taking Methadone for several years, quitting quickly is very difficult, but withdrawal is something they will have to go through for at least a week if they want to start Vivitrol.

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

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