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Alcohol use disorder is when you have a drinking problem that may become serious. Alcohol dependence can start after the continual use of alcohol, usually in large quantities. Naltrexone injection will not prevent you from becoming impaired when you drink alcohol.
Natural opioids, like heroin and codeine, or a synthetic type of opioid, like fentanyl, methadone, and buprenorphine, can “hijack” this reward system. By taking a pill or injecting these substances, you get the 5 Tips to Consider When Choosing a Sober Living House reward without effort. The active ingredient in Vivitrol sets up a blockade of the “feel-good chemicals” released while using opioids. You are at a higher risk of overdose if you take opiates while on Vivitrol.
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This is a prime example of how binge drinking and heavy drinking can lead to alcohol addiction. Vivitrol addiction treatment is meant to help people who drink heavily on a regular basis. Vivitrol is an injection used for the treatment of alcohol dependency and is administered once a month. It is also the trade name for the drug naltrexone, which is a substance primarily used to treat alcohol and opioid dependency. “Vivitrol is an injection used for the treatment of alcohol dependency and is administered once a month.”
When taken properly, Vivitrol works by decreasing a person’s desire to drink.
Most healthcare practitioners rotate between the buttocks and the thighs for consecutive injections. This procedure is known as rotating injection sites and is done with the sole purpose of lowering the risk of scarring and injection site reactions caused by getting injected in the same spot. Furthermore, treatment with such a formulation could be a stopgap measure between hospital detoxification and outpatient referral, so that a patient would still be treated with medication during that time frame. Alcohol-dependent individuals who have experienced relatively low therapeutic effects from oral naltrexone also might benefit from a long-acting formulation (Johnson 2006). Before abandoning the continued use of naltrexone for such patients, a practitioner could provide a “trial” of a depot preparation to rule out fluctuating plasma naltrexone levels as a potential cause of inefficacy. You must be opioid-free before receiving Vivitrol unless your healthcare provider decides that you don’t need to go through detox first.
Other uses for this medicine
Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. What we do at Discovery Place is treat the mind, body, and spirit through the practice of spiritual principles (things like honesty, willingness, humility, and courage). We give men the foundation they need to obtain and sustain long-term sobriety. We offer a community of men who know the disease of alcoholism firsthand and who, today, no longer have a desire to drink. Over the past three years, more than 60 percent of Discovery Place alumni report they are one year sober following their 30-, 60-, or 90-day stay with us. There is no shame or guilt in asking for help or more information.
- At Discovery Place, our guests are introduced to and immersed in 12-step recovery from the moment they arrive.
- Similar results were seen in immunochemistry studies, but with relatively smaller increases, which ranged from 10% to 40% (Bartus et al 2003).
- If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
- Missing a scheduled injection can dramatically impair the effectiveness of the next dose.
You may find that medication adherence is easier than taking a daily pill because it only requires one injection each month. Naltrexone is available as both a daily pill and a monthly injection. While both medications are effective, there are some clear benefits to a long-lasting, once-a-month injection. Vivitrol should be used along with psychosocial support as part of a comprehensive treatment program.