Vivitrol Shot for Opiate Addiction

Updates on Vivitrol to address some frequently asked questions:

• Vivitrol is not an opioid

• Vivitrol is not a mood or mind altering medication

• Patients will not become addicted to Vivitrol

We are overwhelmed by the epidemic of prescription drug addiction - particularly as a result of OxyContin addiction and dependence.

Vivitrol is a medication that has been known to reduce cravings in men and women struggling with addiction to narcotic painkillers.

Here is a quick primer on Vivitrol:

• The urge to take opiates is experienced in the brain

• When people who are prone to chemical addiction take narcotics, the brain releases an excessive amount of pleasurable chemicals called endorphins

• Endorphins cause the release of another pleasurable chemical called dopamine.  This is primarily responsible for the resulting loss of control and drug addiction
• Vivitrol blocks endorphins from attaching to brain cells.  This may prevent the excessive release of dopamine. It is believed that this is how Vivitrol may block the excessive reward of taking opiates.
  
  

Monthly Shot Preferable to Daily Oral Doses

Daily oral doses of Vivitrol allow for human error and can end in relapse much more easily than a monthly injection.  The injection (into the person's hip) leads to a slow release of the drug over the course of the ensuing month.

There is a study that shows that Vivitrol injection led to a huge increase in long term abstinence from opiates - as compared to a placebo injection.  Read about that study here.

Vivitrol is Only a Part of a More Extensive Treatment Program

Ultimately Vivitrol can reduce cravings and help the person free themselves from the chemical in the early going of a treatment program. 

For long term success, our treatment program focuses on counseling, 12-Step support groups, and most of all: empowering and enjoyable activities.