What is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is an injectable medication that blocks the effects of opioids and is often prescribed to prevent relapse. It stops pain relief and other feelings of well-being that can contribute to abuse and eventual addiction. It’s commonly used as a maintenance medication to help prevent relapse.
Vivitrol can also be used to treat alcohol addiction. While it doesn’t decrease the effects of any recently consumed alcohol, it does limit your urge to drink.
How does Vivitrol work?
Vivitrol is an opioid antagonist, which means it blocks opioids from attaching to opioid receptors in your brain. When Vivitrol attaches to a receptor, it prevents an opiate from having an effect but doesn’t trigger the release of dopamine that provides a “high” or pain relief.
Vivitrol is a monthly injection. The doctors at 90265 Medical Group use it to help prevent relapse after you’ve gone through a detox program. While the team provides only medication-assisted treatment (MAT), you can combine Vivitrol with other recovery maintenance tools like counseling and support groups.
What should I expect while taking Vivitrol?
When you take Vivitrol, the addiction specialists at 90265 Medical Group give you a shot once a month. You need to have completed a detox program and can’t have used any opioids for at least 10 days or other opioid blockers like Suboxone® for at least 14 days. You need to be free of all withdrawal symptoms.
Vivitrol should help reduce cravings for opioids and other drugs. It can increase your sensitivity to opioids, and using opioids while on Vivitrol can increase your risk of overdose, even on much smaller amounts of an opiate than you would have used before starting detox and recovery.
Make sure to talk to your provider about any and all medications and supplements you take, including over-the-counter products. If you have liver damage, kidney disease, or blood disorders like hemophilia, Vivitrol might not be your best option.
If you’re looking for medical maintenance support to help you stay sober, call 90265 Medical Group or make an appointment online today to learn more about Vivitrol and how it can help you maintain your detox.
