Vivitrol is a medication mainly administered to prevent drug or alcohol abuse and relapse, and is used specifically for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription medications. Vivitrol is an extended-release version of the drug Naltrexone, that one can get through a monthly injection. It isn't habit forming, and is what is called an antagonist. When someone injects Vivitrol, it blocks the receptors that would normally be triggered by alcohol or opioids, so when an individual drinks alcohol or tries to get high on opioids they basically can't get high or drunk.
There are certain precautions that need to be taken before someone is administered Vivitrol. First off, an individual who intends to begin Vivitrol needs to have been off of opioids for a minimum of seven to ten days. This includes individuals who are involved in opioid maintenance therapy and are taking medications like Methadone or Buprenorphine. For a heroin abuser or a person who has been on Methadone for several years, quitting quickly can be brutal, but withdrawal is something they will have to endure for at least a week if they want to start Vivitrol.
These meds must be used as part of an addiction treatment program in Occidental which also offers medical supervision, individual therapy, and group therapy. Talk with your therapist or Dr. about how pharmacological aids can help you maintain the drug-free life you want.
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