Vivitrol is a med used to prevent drug or alcohol use and relapse, and is used specifically for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription pain killers. Vivitrol is an extended-release type of the drug Naltrexone, which one can get via injection once a month. It is not habit forming, and is what is called an antagonist. When an individual injects Vivitrol, it blocks the receptors that would normally be activated by opioids or alcohol, so when someone drinks or takes opioids they essentially cannot get high or drunk.
There are certain safety measures that need to be taken before someone begins treatment with Vivitrol. First off, someone who intends to begin Vivitrol needs to have been off of opioids for at least seven to ten days. This is including individuals who are participating in opioid maintenance therapy and are being given medications such as Methadone or Buprenorphine. For a heroin abuser or a person who has been taking Methadone for a long time, quitting quickly can be brutal, but withdrawal is something they will have to endure for a minimum of a week if they want to start Vivitrol.
These meds must be used in conjunction with a treatment program in Gettysburg which also includes individual therapy, group therapy and medical supervision. Speak with your therapist or doctor about how pharmacological aids can help you maintain and build the sober life you want.
For All Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs In Gettysburg, Click Here.