Is Vivitrol Right for Me?

Written By

Dominic Nicosia

August 16, 2016

Vivitrol has proven to be an effective resource in helping sufferers of opioid and alcohol dependency manage their cravings and overcome their withdrawal symptoms. The medication is used as part of an overall treatment program, and is not meant to replace any aspect of care. Vivitrol works by blocking the pleasurable effects associated with alcohol and opioid use, greatly diminishing cravings and, theoretically, making long-term abstinence easier. While it is a decidedly valuable tool in the fight against continued opioid and alcohol abuse, the drug is only for eligible patients who fit a standardized, multi-level criteria under established professional guidelines.

Who Can Take Vivitrol?

To begin with, those who are still using or are in the early stages of withdrawal should not take Vivitrol. The drug is also not for patients who are allergic to naltrexone or any other ingredient in Vivitrol. Vivitrol is administered via monthly injections from a qualified physician, and should be taken as part of a larger overall treatment program. The drug is meant to be administered in conjunction with detox and rehab. Treatment can last a year or more and should be monitored by an experienced and qualified physician. Some of the side effects of Vivitrol can include:

• Nausea and Vomiting
• Decreased Appetite
• Joint and Muscle Pain
• Cold and Flu-Like Symptoms
• Fatigue and Headache

A successful Vivitrol regimen depends largely on patient-physician communication. It is important that the regimen be closely monitored to assess progress and eventually wean patients off the drug.

To best assess your eligibility for Vivitrol, speak to your treatment provider about starting a course of therapy after detox. Recovery Unplugged is ready to answer any questions you may have prior to starting your Vivitrol treatment or any other course of medication-assisted therapy (MAT). There is a great deal of speculation regarding the efficacy of MAT in addiction care. The best approach is to find out for yourself from your current treatment center.

Dominic Nicosia

The Senior Content Writer here at Recovery Unplugged, Dominic Nicosia oversees the maintenance of our online blog while also handling and overseeing all written communications within Marketing. He also writes articles, thought leadership pieces, and basically everything written regarding web content. Dominic has over seven years of writing experience in the addiction care field and a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing from the University of Arts in Philadelphia. Dominic has been writing and playing music for years and is the proud owner of a Jack Russell/Pitbull mix named Jack. His favorite books are The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre, and Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.