VIVITROL AND ORAL NALTREXONE

Vivitrol is an injectable, long acting formulation of the medication Naltrexone.  Naltrexone can reduce cravings associated with alcohol and opioid dependence, along with other substances of abuse, and even, addictive behaviors in general. Naltrexone works by binding to opioid receptors in the Central Nervous System, causing reversible blockade of these receptors and does not allow an opiate (ie. Heroin, Vicodin, Percoet, Oxycontin) to have it’s typical euphoric effect.  As a result, an individual ingesting an opiate, while on oral Naltrexone or Vivitrol, will not get high and may actually experience undesirable withdrawal effects. Hence, oral Naltrexone and Vivitrol can effectively stop opioid use in it’s tracks.  Although not fully understood, oral Naltrexone’s and Vivitrol’s actions as opioid receptor antagonists or blockers leads to  modulation of the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway in the brain (one of the primary centers for risk-reward analysis in the brain, and a tertiary "pleasure center") which is hypothesized to be a major center of the reward associated with addiction that all major drugs of abuse are believed to act. Also, another action is believed to be antagonism or blockade of innate, naturally occurring or what are called endogenous opioids whose production is elevated or augmented in the presence of alcohol. This results in reduced pleasure when ingesting alcohol or other addictive substances.  This usually results in a loss of interest in use of the addictive substance by the addicted individual.  

When oral Naltrexone and Vivitrol are utilized as treatments for either Alcohol or Opioid Dependence, the positive results can be remarkable, dramatic and rapid.  What is great about oral Naltrexone and Vivitrol is that these medications are not opioids and are not replacement treatments for opioid addiction. They are pure blockers of opiates and can provide an incredibly safe and effective “safety net” for the person battling addiction.  It is almost assured the addicted individual will remain clean and sober, for as long as they are taking the medication, thus allowing the necessary time for the individual’s brain to heal, to be firmly rooted in recovery, and to retrieve their executive functioning abilities of sound judgment, self regulation, life goal follow through and completion, and a host of other abilities necessary to lead a normal, healthy and productive life. As well, the intense cravings associated with addiction can be attenuated, or even eliminated, which can bring substantial comfort and relief of suffering to the person.

One major issue that is common in treating addictions is that of compliance with treatment.  Most individuals dependent on alcohol, opiates or another substance will often forgo taking medications in order to use their substance of addiction.  Any treatment recommendation, although possibly effective, will fail if not complied with. Therefore, the injectable Vivitrol formulation was created to overcome this issue, as it lasts 28 days after just one injection. There is no need to take pills daily, but rather, a shot approximately once per month.  The availability of Vivitrol has made a major impact on the treatment of opioid and alcohol addictions and has indeed saved lives.

The Recovery Centers offers Vivitrol prescriptions and injections for Opioid Dependence and Alcohol dependence.  As well, we provide the oral form of Naltrexone in a monitored fashion, where we can insure the individual is taking the oral pill daily and is complying with treatment suggestions.  No other treatment facility in the region offers such a program, and it is critical that oral Naltrexone be monitored as the addicted individual can simply stop taking the prescription, resulting in complete ineffectiveness of treatment and often, relapse. Our treatment team has a long history of Vivitrol and oral Naltrexone prescribing, administering and monitoring, and we are well aware of what to expect and how best to handle any situation that may arise during this process. It is important to be knowledgeable and experienced in treating individuals with oral Naltrexone and Vivitrol, to be aware of signs of reducing serum levels of these drugs, and how best to intervene and protect the individual from possible relapse. When treatment is conducted properly with oral Naltrexone and Vivitrol, the results can be remarkably effective and life saving.