Vivitrol is a med mainly administered to prevent drug or alcohol dependency 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 drug Naltrexone, that one can get through a monthly injection. It is not addictive, and is what is called an antagonist. When someone is adminstered Vivitrol, it cuts off the receptors that would normally be activated by opioids or alcohol, so when an individual takes a drink of alcohol or takes opioids they basically cannot get high or drunk.
There are certain precautions that should be be taken before someone is administered Vivitrol. Firstly, a client who plans to start Vivitrol needs to have been off of opioids for a minimum of 7-10 days. This is including individuals who are involved in opioid maintenance therapy and are being given drugs like Methadone or Buprenorphine. For a heroin addict or a person who has been on Methadone for several years, quitting quickly can be very difficult, but withdrawal is something they will have to go through for a minimum of a week if they want to start Vivitrol.
These drugs must be used in conjunction with a treatment program in Ward that also offers individual therapy, group therapy and medical supervision. Talk to your doctor or therapist about how pharmacological tools can help you maintain the drug and alcohol free life you want.
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