Vivitrol is a med mainly administered to prevent drug abuse and relapse, and is used expressly for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription medications. Vivitrol is an extended release type of the drug Naltrexone, which is available via injection once a month. It is not addictive, and is what is known as an antagonist. When someone is adminstered Vivitrol, it blocks the receptors that would normally be triggered by opioids or alcohol, so when someone drinks or tries to get high on opioids they essentially cannot get drunk or high.
There are particular safety measures that need to be taken before an individual is administered Vivitrol. Firstly, a client who intends to start Vivitrol must have been off of opioids for a minimum of 7-10 days. This is including clients who are involved in opioid maintenance therapy and are being given medications such as Methadone or Buprenorphine. For a heroin abuser or someone who has been on Methadone for several years, quitting quickly is brutal, but withdrawal is something they will have to go through for at least a week if they want to start Vivitrol.
These meds must be used in conjunction with an addiction treatment program in Harford that also offers medical supervision, individual therapy, and group therapy. Talk to your therapist or Dr. about how pharmacological aids can help you build the drug and alcohol free life you want.
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