Treatment for opioid use disorders may involve a variety of recovery options and strategies, including the safe and controlled administration of medication. One prominent example is Vivitrol, the proprietary name for naltrexone. Rehab specialists frequently offer Vivitrol treatment programs to manage opioid and alcohol use disorders. The benefits of Vivitrol treatment can make significant contributions toward effective opioid recovery.
What Is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol, or naltrexone, is an opioid blocker or antagonist. Like all medications in this category, it creates a barrier around opioid receptors in the nervous system, blocking the sedative and euphoric effects of substances such as heroin, morphine, and codeine. It may also suppress and reduce opioid cravings.
Vivitrol is a brand-name product that differs from generic naltrexone in one crucial way. Namely, after being administered via intramuscular injection, its effects are extended-release. This medication slowly absorbs into the body over a long period, meaning a single injection of Vivitrol lasts about four weeks. Most people need only one dose per month during treatment.
Basics of Vivitrol Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Both opioids and alcohol reach the brain by way of opioid receptors. Since naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, it is effective in the treatment of both opioid and alcohol use disorders. The FDA has approved Vivitrol for both purposes.
Prior to starting Vivitrol treatment, all opioids must be out of a person’s system. The reason for this is that the effects of naltrexone are more or less immediate. If opioids are still in a person’s system, it can trigger the onset of withdrawal, as naltrexone rapidly stops opioids from working. Common symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Diarrhea
Withdrawal may lead to severe pain and discomfort, which is not the goal of effective treatment. Starting Vivitrol after opioids have left the body is the best way to avoid problems. Once naltrexone enters the bloodstream, it prevents any additional opioids from producing effects on the nervous system and brain.
What Are Vivitrol Treatment Benefits?
The potential benefits of Vivitrol treatment are well-documented. Some primary advantages include the following:
- Lower risk of relapse after reaching an opioid-free state
- Reduced susceptibility to opioid cravings
- A more relaxed, convenient medication schedule
- Increased likelihood of meeting recovery plan goals
Vivitrol is also non-opioid, non-addictive, and does not cause withdrawal symptoms once a person stops or finishes treatment. Vivitrol treatment benefits are available to most people in recovery, whether a person’s opioid use has been mild, moderate, or severe.
Other Important Aspects of an Opioid Recovery Plan
When it comes to opioid recovery, it is not advisable to use Vivitrol as the sole treatment method. Instead, this medication should be part of a larger recovery plan customized to an individual’s needs. For instance, a person may need to take other medications before starting Vivitrol treatment for opioid addiction. Effective recovery from any substance use disorder also typically necessitates psychotherapy. Combined, medication and therapy form a rehab concept known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which has proven effective in many cases.
Learn More About the Benefits of Vivitrol Treatment at Promont Wellness
If you’d like more information about Vivitrol treatment benefits, the specialists at Promont Wellness are ready to help. We’re happy to answer questions about how Vivitrol can support effective treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders.
At Promont Wellness, we provide Vivitrol treatment for opioid addiction as part of our MAT program. We also incorporate an additional approved medication known as buprenorphine into our treatment program. In conjunction with psychotherapy, these medications may forge a realistic path toward overcoming opioid addiction. To get started, call us today at 866.939.4243 or complete our brief online form.
