Vivitrol Used in Treatment - Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs - Portland, PA.

Vivitrol is a med mainly administered to help prevent drug use and relapse, and is used expressly for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription pain killers. Vivitrol is an extended-release type of the med Naltrexone, which is available through injection once a month. It is not addictive, and is what is called an antagonist. When someone is adminstered Vivitrol, it blocks the receptors that would usually be triggered by opioids or alcohol, so when someone takes a drink of alcohol or takes opioids they basically cannot get drunk or high.

There are particular safety measures that should be be taken before an individual begins treatment with Vivitrol. First off, a person who plans to start Vivitrol needs to have abstained from opioids for a minimum of 7-10 days. This is including individuals who are involved in opioid maintenance therapy and are being given medications like Methadone or Buprenorphine. For a heroin addict or someone who has been on Methadone for a long time, abrupt cessation can be brutal, but withdrawal is something they will have to go through for a minimum of a week if they want to begin taking Vivitrol.

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

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