Vivitrol is a medication mainly administered to prevent drug use and relapse, and is administered expressly for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription medications. Vivitrol is an extended-release version of the medication Naltrexone, which one can get via injection once a month. It is not addictive, and is what is known as an antagonist. When someone takes Vivitrol, it blocks the receptors that would usually be triggered by alcohol or opioids, so when someone drinks or takes opioids they basically can't get drunk or high.
There are certain precautions that should be be taken before someone is administered Vivitrol. First off, a person who intends to start Vivitrol needs to have abstained from opioids for a minimum of 7-10 days. This includes people who are involved in opioid maintenance therapy and are taking medications such as Methadone or Buprenorphine. For a heroin addict or someone who has been on Methadone for several years, abrupt cessation can be brutal, but withdrawal is something they will have to go through for at least a week in order to begin taking Vivitrol.
These medications must be used in conjunction with a rehab program in Glenolden which also offers medical supervision, individual therapy, and group therapy. Speak to your therapist or doctor about how pharmacological aids can help you build and maintain the drug-free life you want.
For All Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs In Glenolden, Click Here.