Vivitrol for Opiate

Is it Safe to Use Vivitrol for Opiate Addiction?

VIVITROL (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension) is a prescription injectable medicine used to treat alcohol dependence, and to prevent relapse to opioid dependence, after opioid detoxification. You should always stop drinking before starting VIVITROL.
To be safe and effective, treatment with VIVITROL must be used along with other alcoholism or drug recovery programs such as those offered at Inspire Malibu.

What About Relapsing if you are addicted to Opiates?

Opioid dependence is a chronic condition, which means that remaining opioid-free is a challenge. Research has shown that long-term drug abuse results in changes in the brain that remain long after a person stops using drugs. For this reason, relapse is always possible.

Relapse can happen at any time, even long after detoxification. If you relapse, it does not mean that you have failed. However, treatment with VIVITROL^® along with counseling after detox means that you may be less likely to relapse.

VIVITROL is the first and only nonaddictive drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to prevent opioid dependence after patients have gone through opioid detoxification. Vivitrol is only part of a successful treatment plan and to be effective, it must be used with other recovery programs.

• Patients treated with VIVITROL were able to stop using opioids for a longer period of time than patients not treated with VIVITROL

 How Vivitrol Works for Opioid Dependence

When opioids are in the body, they send signals to the brain’s reward system, creating a feeling of pleasure that can often lead to addiction. VIVITROL blocks these signals.

• VIVITROL is not addictive and does not lead to physical dependence
• VIVITROL does not replace or act as a substitute for opioids
• VIVITROL does not provide pain relief
• Unlike opioids, VIVITROL does not create a “high”

How is Vivitrol Given?

VIVITROL is given as an injection by a healthcare provider once a month or every 4 weeks. After the injection is given, the medication stays in your body for a month and cannot be removed. Call to speak to a medically trained specialist about your options with Vivitrol.

What is Opiate Dependence?

• An ability to tolerate opioids
• A need for greatly increased amount of opioids to relieve pain or get high or when continued use of the same amount of opioid leaves you feeling less high
• When you feel physical or mental withdrawal after stopping opioid use
• If you have tried unsuccessfully to cut down or control substance use
• If you spend a great deal of time trying to get more opioids, use opioids, or recover from their effects
• If you have given up or avoid important social or recreational activities and work due to opioid use
• Continuing to use the substance even when it’s clear that you have a physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or made worse by opioid use Vivitrol for Alcoholism