If you, or a loved one are looking to find treatment for alcohol or opioid addiction, then you are in the right place.

Facing an addiction can be incredibly difficult, but it is so important that you reach out for help, whether it is for yourself or to support a friend or family member.

The journey to recovery is a difficult one, but addiction can be overcome with help, guidance and treatment.

One of the most common ways to overcome alcohol or opioid addiction is through the use of Vivitrol injections. So, what is Vivitrol, how can it help and how is it abused?

What Is Vivitrol?

Vivitrol is a brand of Naltrexone, which is a medication used to treat and manage alcohol or opioid use disorder and addiction.

The main purpose of this medication is to reduce cravings and the feeling of high and euphoria that those substances offer, in order to treat the addiction and substance abuse disorder.

Vivitrol is basically an opioid antagonist which can help treat alcohol and opioid dependence, and can also prevent relapse. Vivitrol is a once monthly injection that is provided by a healthcare professional or doctor.

It is non addictive, not a narcotic and an opioid blocker that should be used with counseling in order to overcome opioid or alcohol addiction.

However, you must be opioid free before receiving the Vivitrol injection, or there could be adverse side effects.

In addition, as Vivitrol is an opioid blocker, it can lead to overdose if used with opioids, as the effects of the opioids will be lessened, and users may take more doses in order to feel the euphoria of the drugs.

When used as part of a treatment plan that includes therapy or counseling with Vivitrol, you can prevent relapse and opioid dependence, as long as the patient has gone through an opioid detox.

For more information about Vivitrol, take a look at the medication’s website: https://www.vivitrol.com/opioid-dependence/what-is-vivitrol.

Does Vivitrol Get You High?

Vivitrol is an opioid receptor antagonist, which means that it blocks the effects of opioids.

Therefore, there is not much potential for addiction to Vivitrol, because it does not get you high, or give you a feeling of euphoria, which is often what users are looking for.

Even when mixed with other drugs, Vivitrol does not get you high, so you cannot become addicted to the medication. However, you can still abuse Vivitrol.

One of the common ways that people can do this is by continuing to use opioids after receiving their Vivitrol treatment, or whilst the treatment is ongoing.

Whilst Vivitrol does impair the brain’s response and reaction to opioids, some users will attempt to take higher opioid doses in order to override Vivitrol’s antagonist effects, to get high.

This is incredibly dangerous, as it can lead to an opioid overdose, and consequently, death with users taking extra doses of opioids and drugs in order to feel the high that Vivitrol is attempting to block.

In addition to this, some users have reported that after receiving a treatment course of Vivitrol, they have become more sensitive to opioids.

Whilst Vivitrol is intended for recovery, some users may relapse, and much smaller doses then have a higher effect on them, which can also lead to an overdose or even death.

Others may abuse Vivitrol by simply not following advice. You cannot start having Vivitrol injections unless you are completely clean and detoxed of all opioids, as this can lead to withdrawal, and the symptoms of withdrawal can be very severe and dangerous.

Before having Vivitrol treatments, you must be clean of all opioids for at least 7-14 days.

If patients do not follow this simple rule, then they are putting themselves at an incredibly high risk, which can land them in hospital.

Vivitrol must be administered under a doctor or medical professional’s supervision, and should be used in addition to counseling as treatment for drug addiction.

When used properly, and not abused, it is an effective treatment for those seeking recovery.

Does Vivitrol Help With Withdrawal?

No, Vivitrol does not help with withdrawal. Vivitrol should only be used after the detox process, as an active opiate user can become very sick if they are given Vivitrol injections.

Vivitrol is an opiate blocker, which can help opiate abusers and alcohol users remain clean so that they can recover from addiction. It should not be administered to help with withdrawal symptoms.

Does Vivitrol Help With Cravings?

Yes, Vivitrol can help with cravings for alcohol and opiates or opioids. Vivitrol is an extended release formula of naltrexone, which is an opioid receptor antagonist, that works to block the effects of opioids on the brain.

Because the feeling of a high, often generated with opioids through dopamine chemicals in the brain is blocked by the naltrexone, the craving is just not there. As a result, this can help curb cravings to use again, which leads Vivitrol patients to recovery.

Vivitrol is actually a very effective way of managing urges and cravings in early addiction recovery, and these injections are often offered to those who struggle with cravings.

Taking Vivitrol With Opiates In System

Vivitrol is not without its risks. If not used correctly, if the patient is not clean, or is still using opiods, then the effects can be disastrous.

For instance, taking Vivitrol can cause serious side effects such as an opioid overdose. You can overdose in two different ways.

The first is because Vivitrol blocks the effects of opioids like heroin or pain medicines, so if you try to take opioids whilst on Vivitrol, you can end up taking larger amounts which can lead to overdose, injury, a coma or death.

With opioids in the system, you may suffer from sudden opioid withdrawal, which can be very severe, and can be life threatening.

In addition to this, after having a dose of Vivitrol, the blocking effects will slowly lessen over time, and if patients relapse after using Vivitrol, then they may be more sensitive to lower doses of opiates.

Summary

To summarize, Vivitrol is very effective when used with counseling to treat opioid and alcohol addiction and dependency.

However, it must be administered by a doctor, and the patient must be clean and detoxed so that the medication is not abused or dangerous in any way.