WHAT IS A VIVITROL SHOT?

There are various pathways to take in the journey to recovery. Choosing sobriety as a lifestyle goes beyond abusing substances. A specific addiction occurs because of the exposure to a drug and the way in which that drug changes the brain. As a result, there’s often a multi-pronged approach when discovering methodology in overcoming addictions. What is the Vivitrol shot and how does it fit into the methodology of treatment?

Vivitrol is a brand-name prescription medications used to:

1 .) Treat alcohol dependence. For heavy drinkers and individuals battling with Alcohol Use Disorder, or AUD, Vivitrol may help to reduce drinking.

2.) Prevent opioid dependence after opioid detoxification. Opioids are well-known prescription medications used to treat chronic pain. Opioids are also a highly addictive substance. Vivitrol is meant to help individuals avoid becoming dependent on opioids again after you’ve used them in the past. You must stop using opioids for at least seven to ten days before taking Vivitrol.

Vivitrol is most effective when used with other evidence-based treatment programs, mental health counseling, and support groups.

WHAT DOES THE VIVITROL SHOT BLOCK?

According to Medical News Today, for the treatment of opioids dependence, researchers found that 36% of people who took Vivitrol didn’t use any opioids throughout the 24-week study. In comparison, only 23% of people who took a placebo (no treatment) didn’t use any opioids for this timeframe. In a separate clinical trial, individuals who used the approved dose of Vivitrol had 25% fewer heavy drinking days.

What is a Vivitrol shot, though, and how does it work?

Naltrexone is the generic version of brand-name Vivitrol. All forms of naltrexone work by stopping the euphoria and sedation that central nervous system depressants, specifically alcohol and opioids, can cause. Vivitrol effectively blocks opioid and alcohol neurological effects, binding to receptor sites in place of drugs.