Vivitrol Used in Treatment - Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs - Westwood, NJ.

Vivitrol is a medication used to prevent drug dependency and relapse, and is used specifically for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription pain killers. Vivitrol is an extended release version of the drug Naltrexone, that one can get via a monthly injection. It is not habit forming, and is what is called an antagonist. When someone takes 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 essentially can't get high or drunk.

There are certain precautions that need to be taken before an individual is administered Vivitrol. First off, someone who intends to start Vivitrol must have been off of opioids for at least 7-10 days. This includes clients who are involved in opioid maintenance therapy and are taking drugs such as Buprenorphine or Methadone. For a heroin abuser or a person who has been on Methadone for several years, abrupt cessation can be brutal, but withdrawal is something they will have to endure for a minimum of 7 days in order to begin taking Vivitrol.

These drugs must be used in conjunction with a treatment program in Westwood that also includes individual therapy, group therapy and medical supervision. Talk to your doctor or therapist in regards to how pharmacological tools can help you maintain the drug-free life you want.

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