Vivitrol For Alcoholism
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 414,000 adolescents between 12 and 17 years old had an alcohol disorder back in 2019. What’s more, adults who are 26 or older and started using alcohol before turning 15 are about 6 times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder compared to people who waited until 21.
Alcohol addiction is a widespread issue, with people of all ages abusing alcohol regularly. Frequent use can be detrimental for people’s bodies, but may also affect their life, relationships, jobs, and finances significantly. Luckily, there are ways to get rid of this problem.
Vivitrol is one of the medications used in alcohol use disorder treatments as it can reduce cravings and decrease the likelihood of relapse in former addicts. Of course, it has to be administered by healthcare providers, and it comes in an injectable form.
Explaining Vivitrol
Vivitrol was approved in 2010 by the Food and Drug Administration. It is a medication used to treat opioid and alcohol addiction. The medication is injected into the body, and when used right, it can not only reduce cravings but also reduce the chances of relapse.
Also called naltrexone, the drug is an extended-release one, and in order for someone to get it during detox, they must get a prescription from a healthcare provider. Unlike other medications used to treat addiction, Vivitrol is not addictive, so the abuse potential is not there.
Vivitrol alone is not enough to stop an addiction. It can only have a minimal effect on the cravings to ensure someone doesn’t feel the need to use alcohol all the time. The medication can be used alongside therapy and other types of treatments in detox.
Vivitrol Use
The medication can be used for people who are addicted to alcohol yet are not in the hospital because of their issue. Healthcare providers will inject 380-mg of Vivitrol once every 4 weeks. Vivitrol is administered by injecting it into the buttock muscles.
Sometimes, when necessary, the doctor may give the injections into the thighs, especially when it comes to consecutive injections. This helps prevent scarring and other similar reactions at the injection site. Vivitrol comes with a special needle that the provider will then use to give the injection.
Healthcare providers prepare and administer this substance clinically. Once it’s inside the patient’s body, it will change the way the brain responds to alcohol. The endorphins that attach to the receptors as a result of alcohol consumption no longer do this, as Vivitrol stops them.
If the patient takes the medication the right way, cravings can be significantly decreased.
Vivitrol For Alcohol
Since a lot of people in the U.S. are dealing with alcohol addiction, Vivitrol can very commonly be administered to decrease cravings. In fact, a clinical trial proved the way the medication can work for alcohol-dependent people. Every four weeks, people received an injection containing 380-mg of Vivitrol, and they had 25% fewer days of heavy drinking compared to placebo patients.
Although it can be extremely useful, the medication should be combined with other forms of treatment for the best results. Not to mention that it will only work against the cravings.
Therefore, if the patient is dealing with liver or kidney damage, as well as cardiovascular damage and increased chances of neurological disorders, Vivitrol cannot treat them. It can help reduce cravings for alcohol in the long term, though.
It’s essential to use this medication right when treating alcohol disorders, as it may not be as effective otherwise.
Vivitrol and Sobriety
Anti-addiction medications are not always perfect. Vivitrol is no exception to this. It can be a powerful ally in helping decrease cravings in someone addicted to alcohol and even make sure they achieve sobriety, but it is not enough to help everyone quit.
At the same time, it plays a key role in the alcohol addiction recovery process. The medication should be taken as the doctor recommends, respectively once a month. After the injections, even if someone still drinks alcohol, they will not have the same intense cravings and will not be as tempted to drink.
So, it can be very important in recovery as it makes the recovery journey of an addict much easier and increases the likelihood of someone quitting the substance.
Side Effects of Vivitrol
Some side effects may appear in certain people. For some, these effects are mild, while others are not as lucky and end up experiencing more severe symptoms. Some of the side effects that a patient might experience include:
- Muscle cramps
- Headaches
- Painful joints
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
As for the severe symptoms, they might include:
- Pneumonia
- Liver damage
- Rashes, hives, face swelling, and other allergic reactions
- Reactions at the injection site
- Depression
- Suicide or suicidal thoughts/behavior
When is Vivitrol Not Suitable?
Not everyone can take Vivitrol. In some cases, Vivitrol use is advised against due to certain other conditions.
The medicine is not right for people who:
- Have a naltrexone allergy or are dealing with an allergy for any of the ingredients in Vivitrol, as well as the liquid the doctor uses to mix Vivitrol
- Are dealing with opioid withdrawal symptoms
- Are addicted to any opioid street drug or any medicine containing opioids
Patients should let the healthcare provider know any important details regarding their health or other medications they are taking. This will help determine if Vivitrol is right for them.
Why Choose Real Deal?
Real Deal can help you quit alcohol addiction successfully and never return to this dark place. We offer a detox program where our professionals will give you all the help you need to recover.
Not only that, but we also offer individual therapy, as we think mental health is just as important as treating the physical part of the addiction. Contact us, and you can say goodbye to your alcohol addiction!
Vivitrol can help you if you are dealing with alcohol addiction. So, if you have an alcohol issue or know someone who does, call us for help to determine if Vivitrol is suitable.