Rhonda serves as BrightView Health’s Vice President of Quality Operations. Prior to joining BrightView in 2020, Rhonda has over 18 years’... read more
As with quitting any other addictive drug, discontinuing opioid use can result in various withdrawal symptoms, including intense cravings for the drug. Opioid cravings can make it extremely challenging to refrain from using the drug again. Medication assisted treatment (MAT) can help alleviate opioid cravings and reduce the temptation to use. Vivitrol treatment for opioid addiction is one such option that can help support a successful recovery.
Do not let worries over dealing with strong cravings hold you back from ending your substance use disorder. Vivitrol treatment at BrightView can help make your road to recovery a little less bumpy. The cravings-reducing effects of Vivitrol make this opioid antagonist the perfect complement to our outpatient addiction treatment programs. Call us today at 888.501.9865 to learn how we can support your recovery journey with Vivitrol.
How Does Vivitrol Support Recovery From Opioid Addiction?
Opioids help alleviate pain after surgery or injury and are available by prescription or as illicit street drugs. Some commonly prescribed opioids for treating chronic or temporary pain are hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine. Some people turn to heroin, an illicit opioid when they cannot obtain prescription opioids. These substances are highly addictive, leading many people recovering from injury or surgery to develop an unintentional substance use disorder.
With the help of an opioid addiction treatment program, you can break free from your dependence on opioids. These programs may combine therapy, medication assisted treatment (MAT), and support to help you get through withdrawal and address underlying issues that put you at risk for relapse. Vivitrol is one of the medications that may be used for opioid addiction treatment.
So, How Does Vivitrol Treatment Work?
Vivitrol serves to minimize or eliminate cravings for opioids to reduce your risk of relapse. Studies showed that clients using Vivitrol as part of opioid addiction treatment found their cravings cut nearly in half.
- You must be free from opioids for at least seven days before beginning Vivitrol treatment, so you may need to be in treatment beforehand. If you use opioids within seven days of your first dose of Vivitrol, you risk severe immediate opioid withdrawal symptoms.
- You receive an injection of Vivitrol from your healthcare provider once a month.
- Vivitrol should be used in combination with therapy for optimal results.
Once you have made it through opioid withdrawal through a treatment program or on your own, Vivitrol treatment can be the perfect next step to help you sustain sobriety.
How Does Vivitrol Reduce Cravings?
The main job of Vivitrol is to help reduce cravings and prevent relapse so you can stay on your path to recovery with greater ease. The following explains how Vivitrol works to reduce cravings:
- Vivitrol is an opioid antagonist, so it blocks the effects of opioids.
- Vivitrol prevents opioids from activating brain receptors that produce a euphoric high. This also blocks the pain-relieving effects of opioids.
- By blocking the high you would usually get from opioids, your desire for the drug can decrease.
Since Vivitrol blocks the opioid high, it should be used after withdrawal is complete as it can intensify withdrawal symptoms. You should be opioid-free for at least seven days prior to treatment, although your healthcare provider may recommend as many as 14 days to ensure that the drug is out of your system.
Recover with Vivitrol Treatment for Opioid Addiction at BrightView
Once you have begun recovery from opioids, you can trust Vivitrol treatment at BrightView to help you maintain recovery long-term. Combined with individual counseling, group therapy, and family therapy, you will have the support you need to achieve a healthy, happy recovery. Call us today at 888.501.9865 to get started with treatment right away.
