The Role of Vivitrol in Opioid Addiction Recovery

The impact of the opioid epidemic in the United States shows no signs of slowing down. There were over 46,000 drug overdoses that involved opioids in 2018. Statistics show higher numbers of deaths due to overdose every year and there has never been a greater need for opioid addiction recovery options than there is today.

Prescription painkillers, heroin, fentanyl, and other opioids are highly addictive drugs. And once you’re hooked on them, quitting is not an easy task. Your body adapts to the drugs and when you stop using you experience numerous uncomfortable physical and psychological reactions. These withdrawal symptoms are a large part of what makes quitting so difficult.

Once the detox period is finished, working to prevent relapse and stay drug-free becomes your main focus. You don’t want to go through withdrawal symptoms again. Thankfully there are increasing numbers of options to support those trying to stay clean and sober.

Vivitrol is one of the latest medications on the market for those in opioid addiction recovery. It solves some of the concerns people have with alternatives such as Suboxone or methadone. What is the role of Vivitrol in opioid addiction recovery? Continue reading to learn more.

Vivitrol is a medication made to support individuals in opioid addiction recovery. It is the brand name for the drug naltrexone, an opioid antagonist medication. Vivitrol binds to and blocks the opioid receptors throughout the body. Unlike opioid agonists like naloxone which activate these receptors, opioid antagonists prevent their activation.

Vivitrol binds to opioid receptors without activating them, which relieves opioid cravings while keeping users clear-headed. In addition to reducing cravings, the medication also blocks the ability to get high on opioids. The drugs cannot bind to the body’s opioid receptors because naltrexone is already in place.

This addresses two of the major concerns that come with opioid addiction recovery: cravings and relapse. Vivitrol removes the distraction of cravings and reduces the likelihood of relapse since users can’t feel high. And since a dose of naltrexone lasts all month, individuals are free to focus entirely on building a solid recovery foundation during their time in drug rehab.

Some of the serious side effects caused by Vivitrol include severe reactions at the site of injection. These include a hard lump at the site, swelling that worsens over time, dark scabbing, or severe pain.

Vivitrol can also cause impacts on your liver. These include possible liver swelling, also known as hepatitis, or changes in your liver function. Other serious side effects include pneumonia, an allergic reaction to the medication, or symptoms of depression. Your physician will look for any adverse reactions that may occur as a result of your Vivitrol treatment.

Vivitrol is a great tool for those trying to stay opioid-free. There are some things to keep in mind if the medication is part of your opioid addiction recovery treatment plan, though. The benefits do come with some downsides.

First, users must be completely opioid-free for 7 to 14 days before starting treatment with Vivitrol. If there are opioids in a person’s system when they begin treatment, the medication causes them to immediately experience drug withdrawal symptoms.

If you relapse on opioids while receiving Vivitrol treatment you must wait for another one to two weeks before going back for another injection. This includes drugs such as cough and cold medicine, painkillers, or any other opioid medication.

It’s also important to avoid opioids while using Vivitrol. Again, the medication blocks opioid receptors and prevents people from feeling the effects of those drugs. But blocking their effects does not eliminate the possibility of an overdose. Some people try to take more to overpower the Vivitrol but all this does is put them at risk of an opioid overdose.