Vivitrol is a med used to help prevent drug or alcohol use and relapse, and is administered expressly for alcohol and opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription pain killers. Vivitrol is an extended-release type of the medication Naltrexone, that is available via injection once a month. It isn't habit forming, and is what is known as an antagonist. When someone takes Vivitrol, it blocks the receptors that would usually be activated by alcohol or opioids, so when someone takes a drink of alcohol or takes opioids they essentially cannot get drunk or high.
There are certain precautions that should be be taken before an individual begins treatment with Vivitrol. Firstly, a person who with the intent to begin Vivitrol needs to have been off of opioids for a minimum of seven to ten days. This includes people who are participating in opioid maintenance therapy and are taking meds like Buprenorphine or Methadone. 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 endure for a minimum of 7 days in order to begin taking Vivitrol.
These drugs must be used in conjunction with an addiction treatment program in New Richmond that also includes individual therapy, group therapy and medical supervision. Talk with your therapist or Dr. in regards to how pharmacological tools can help you build the drug and alcohol free life you want.
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