Vivitrol is the brand name for the drug naltrexone. At Ethan Crossing of Columbus, our team uses this medication to help people recovering from alcohol or opioid dependence. Vivitrol is administered by injection 7-10 days after a client has completed a drug detox program. If this timeline is not followed, there is the danger of further withdrawal symptoms arising. At Ethan Crossing of Columbus, we are proud to offer a Vivitrol treatment program to our clients.
What Is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is a substitute for methadone, which can be addictive and sometimes harder to withdraw from than the opioids themselves. Methadone is very dangerous if combined with alcohol or other drugs. Vivitrol is also an alternative to Suboxone, a medication that contains buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid and can cause addiction problems. Medication-assisted treatment should include a Vivitrol treatment program according to each individual’s needs.
In our medication-assisted treatment program, our team will administer Vivitrol once a month. It is an extended-release form of Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist that is also used in the treatment of alcohol addiction. Vivitrol prevents opioids from affecting the brain by blocking them, reducing the intense drug cravings people experience during withdrawal. Unlike other medications, Vivitrol doesn’t provide euphoria. It also prevents you from achieving the high associated with drug use. There are some side effects, including the following:
- Feeling tired
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Diarrhea
- Muscular or joint pain
- Pneumonia
- Allergic reactions (facial swelling, rashes)
- Depression
- Liver damage
- Pain at the site of injection with some severity
- Suicidal thoughts
- Insomnia
- Increased liver enzymes
- Inflammation of nasal passages
It is vital to complete Vivitrol treatment under the guidance of medical professionals. Doing so can help you avoid the worst of the side effects. Your treatment team can also address any urgent medical problems that may arise.
Vivitrol Treatment for Alcohol and Opioids
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vivitrol to prevent relapse from alcohol use disorder in 2006. The drug blocks endorphins from binding to their receptors, controlling the feelings of euphoria associated with drinking alcohol. You can still become intoxicated, but the good feelings that it once delivered will be absent. Once the benefits of drinking have faded, you no longer desire to use it.
In 2011, the FDA approved Vivitrol for use in treating opioid addiction. It works the same way with opioids that it does with alcohol by blocking the opioid receptors. You can no longer experience the euphoric high from opioids with Vivitrol in your system. People recovering from opioid addiction who were treated with Vivitrol were 17 times less likely to relapse than those who did not seek Vivitrol treatment.
Reach Out to Ethan Crossing of Columbus Today
Vivitrol is often an ideal alternative to other medications because it does not allow you to feel the euphoric high of alcohol or opioid use. People have commented that they no longer desire to use drugs because Vivitrol prevents them from achieving the high that they were seeking. It has become the go-to treatment for correctional institutions. In fact, some courts have even mandated that it is the only medication that can be used to combat alcohol and opioid relapse due to its ability to block the drugs’ effects from settling in.
At Ethan Crossing of Columbus, we believe that family engagement in the recovery process is essential to you getting and staying sober. We offer a full continuum of care from the moment you arrive for detox to an aftercare program when you complete the addiction treatment program. All of our detox and treatment programs promote long-term recovery. We have an extensive selection of options to treat addiction to all types of substances. We have both men’s and women’s rehab if you feel more comfortable in that type of environment. In addition, you can receive treatment in either an inpatient or outpatient program. Please contact us online or at 855.476.0078 to take the first step on your journey to wellness and recovery.