Vivitrol
The first step to a life free from an addiction is to detox. This process isn’t simple, of course; if it were, our clients would be able to do so quickly. Most people cannot detox on their own, not only because it is difficult, but because it is physically taxing and dangerous. There are, however, specific tools, like medication, that can help.And that’s a beautiful thing. The first hurdle many of the clients at the Kentuckiana Center for Addiction Medicine face is getting sober. Once you can get sober, you’ve broken the cycle of addiction, and it is easier to see the benefits of sobriety.
One of the most important tools we have to help our clients achieve sobriety and eventually lasting recovery is a medication called Vivitrol. Whether you are suffering from addiction yourself, or you are a concerned friend or family member who knows someone who is struggling with chemical dependency, we can help.
We develop tailored treatment plans designed to address each client’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs to help them achieve real and lasting recovery. For those who are suffering from opioid dependence or alcoholism, Vivitrol is one of the most effective treatments available. Typically, it is used as one part of a multi-faceted treatment plan that addresses each aspect of the client’s dependence.
Vivitrol and Your Path to Recovery
Vivitrol is a brand-name formulation of the drug Naltrexone. Naltrexone is also the primary ingredient in the brand-name formulation Revia. At our center, we understand that addiction treatment isn’t just about the client’s dependence on a chemical. On the contrary, we know that our clients need comprehensive treatment to fully heal, not only from their addiction, but from mental illness, past trauma, and other contributing factors.But that healing cannot begin while they are still physically dependent on alcohol or illegal substances like heroin. Naltrexone is a powerful prescription medication that can help achieve that first step toward full healing. Administered by a physician with expertise and in conjunction with a comprehensive addiction treatment regimen, it can:
- Help our patients overcome the desire to use and abuse opiates and alcohol.
- Suppress and entirely block the euphoria, and other pleasant physical effects patients feel when consuming alcohol or using opioids.
- Reduce the risk of relapsing.
- Provide patients with the physical support they desperately need to complete their recovery program and stay sober.
Vivitrol is an incredible resource for those suffering from addiction, but it is only one tool. Medication alone does not always help our clients achieve real and lasting recovery. Detoxing and reducing physical dependence is, of course, a vital part of healing. But patients must also learn to change their routines, their behaviors, their attitudes, and even their thought patterns to benefit from addiction treatment in the long run. That’s why our center usually combines Vivitrol with counseling, outpatient services, and helping our clients build stable networks of support.
With a comprehensive treatment plan that includes Vivitrol, many patients have increased success in battling their addiction to opioids and alcohol. We want all of our clients to be successful in recovery, which is why we work so hard to come up with a treatment and recovery plan tailored to their needs.
Naltrexone Options
There are two main options for patients who are good candidates for Naltrexone therapy. Vivitrol is a once-monthly injection. Revia, which contains the same active ingredients, can be administered as a daily tablet, orally.Your physician will determine whether or not Naltrexone will be helpful for your recovery. If so, you will begin Naltrexone therapy after completing a detoxification or step down program. This treatment can improve your chances of lasting success. Your progress will be monitored by ongoing, routine medical visits with our expert physicians. Your treatment team will be by your side to provide you with the continuing care and help that you require to heal from your addiction and rebuild your life.
Precautions and Side Effects
All medications, no matter how innocuous, come with some risk of side effects. We firmly believe that each of our clients should be aware of all of the risks involved with any medication they are prescribed. Your physician will be able to answer any questions and concerns you have about the use of Vivitrol. Questions may concern its interactions with legal and illegal drugs, alcohol, and the side effects it may cause.Being educated with regards to the medications you are prescribed is essential. It helps our clients maintain and improve their health, stay safe, and increase their chances of long-lasting recovery. Vivitrol can help heroin, and other opioid addicts manage their sobriety and reduce their chances of relapse. It can also help those dependent on alcohol lessen the frequency of heavy drinking episodes.
However, to use Vivitrol safely, our patients must be able to stop taking opioids or other drugs that might interact with Vivitrol. Your safety is our number one concern. Vivitrol must be prescribed by a physician who can be sure it won’t interact with other drugs in your system.
We also ensure that our patients are aware of the potential side effects of taking Vivitrol, including some intense physical symptoms. While many patients experience no side effects from this medication, others may face side effects that are just as unpleasant as those caused by the addiction. Your physician will closely monitor your health and your reaction to the medication to give you the best possible chance of a long-lasting recovery. Your doctor will also be able to help you identify and avoid some of the side effects the medication is known for.