Vivitrol

Vivitrol is a non-addictive FDA-approved medication that has been shown to be effective in treating alcoholism and opioid addiction. Vivitrol belongs to a class of medications called opioid antagonists which block the effects of opioids.

Vivitrol blocks receptors in the brain. When this happens, the brain stops sending signals that trigger cravings for drugs and alcohol. Vivitrol also prevents the effects that lead to the opioid high. But Vivitrol is different from buprenorphine and naltrexone.

Unlike Sublocade and Suboxone, Vivitrol doesn’t activate receptors in the brain. This means that this medication is not addictive and will not cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped.

Vivitrol is usually given as an injection once a month, even though it can also be taken as a daily pill. individuals need to be abstinent from alcohol and opioids for at least seven days before taking the medication.

Common side effects of Vivitrol include:

Some people may also experience:

Vivitrol has been shown to effectively reduce cravings and relapse rates for both Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Vivitrol has also been shown to effectively reduce relapse rates. In fact, in some studies Vivitrol was found to be more effective than naltrexone pills in reducing relapse rates.

Although effective, Vivitrol is not a cure for addiction, and it should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and support.