What is Vivitrol®?

Vivitrol® is a registered brand name of a substance known as naltrexone. Once you have completed the rapid opiate detoxification process, you will be strongly advised to continue with the administration of the FDA Approved Vivitrol® injection. Please understand that Vivitrol® alone cannot remove your dependency on opiates. The use of Vivitrol® is only recommended for people who have completed the opiate detoxification process.

Vivitrol® is administered as an injection into the muscle. The effects of Vivitrol® will begin only thirty minutes after the first administration. Over the next few weeks and months – as long as you keep up the administration of Vivitrol® – you will find that your desire for opiates will grow weaker and weaker until it disappears altogether.

Are You Sure I Can Receive Vivitrol® Right Away?

While under our doctor’s care, the short answer is Yes. As stated in Vivitrol’s prescribing information pamphlet: “If a more rapid transition from agonist to antagonist therapy is deemed necessary and appropriate by the healthcare provider, monitor the patient closely in an appropriate medical setting where precipitated withdrawal can be managed.” Source: Vivitrol. Section 5.3. Page 10

How does Vivitrol® work?

Vivitrol® – or rather naltrexone – began life as a treatment for alcoholism. People who took naltrexone reported a decreased appetite for alcohol, mainly because the positive sensations attributed to alcohol had been lessened as a result.

Scientists began to explore other uses for naltrexone, and experiments revealed that the substance – when injected – is a very effective opiate blocker. Opiates are produced by the body naturally, as well as being introduced into the body by the taking of opioid substances derived from the opium poppy, as all opiate-based painkillers are. It was found that naltrexone inhibits the euphoric sensations associated with opiates, as well as lessening the cravings for them.

Is Vivitrol® safe?

There are a few side effects associated with using Vivitrol® – namely insomnia, nausea, headaches and anxiety – but these are some of the same exact side effects of using opiate-based painkillers in the first place, and they are much less intense. They are certainly much less intense than the terrible side effects associated with withdrawing from opiates.

The most important aspect of Vivitrol® is that it is completely non-addictive. There are no ‘positive’ side effects associated with the administration of Vivitrol® such as the euphoria and appealing calmness associated with opiates. You will never crave Vivitrol® in the same way you crave opiates, and once you are completely free of your opiate dependency, you can stop using Vivitrol® without the need to go through the withdrawal process.

Warning: Vivitrol® is safe as long as opioid use has ended. Patients who have been treated with Vivitrol® may respond to lower doses of opioids than previously used, just as they would have shortly after completing detoxification. This could result in potentially life-threatening opioid intoxication, including death.

Are there better ways of managing opiate dependency?

The alternative to Vivitrol® would be to replace a potent opiate with a less potent one. For example, it is recommended by a few physicians that the process of removing a dependency on heroin is to switch to a less potent and dangerous opiate, such as methadone or Suboxone®. While this is certainly one way of dealing with a potentially deadly opiate dependency, people feel that they are simply switching one opiate-dependency for another.

The majority of people who have become dependent upon an opiate-based painkiller wish their lives to be free of opiates altogether. This is why our medical team at Advanced Rapid Detox recommends a rapid opiate detox process followed by close management through the use of the FDA Approved Vivitrol® injections. We feel it’s better for your body to be free from the influences of opiates altogether, and virtually every single one of our satisfied patients agree with us.

Why do I have to have an injection? Why can’t I just take a tablet?

Before the advent of Vivitrol® – which has only really been around since 2006 – alcoholics and opiate addicts used to take naltrexone in tablet form. This necessitated the need to take a tablet each and every day, without fail. One tablet missed would start the whole cycle of cravings once again, and once the dependency cycle was re-entered into, addicts would break down and start abusing or over-using the very substances they had tried so very hard to quit.

Next came naltrexone implants which last longer, but currently are not FDA Approved. So the doctors here at Advanced Rapid Detox chose to go with the safest FDA Approved method—which is the Vivitrol® injection which is administered once-a-month by a qualified physician. It could be argued that a recovering opiate addict may forget to show up for a monthly appointment, but at least that would alert someone that something was not as it should be. It’s certainly better than leaving someone fighting a dependency to self-administer their daily medication day after day, or the risks associated with the non-approved implant method. Yikes!

An injection of Vivitrol® will give you the help you need to deal with any cravings you may encounter following your successful detoxification from your opiate addiction. The effects will last all month, allowing you to focus on putting your life back together free from the grips of opiate addiction.

Vivitrol® injections are covered by most Insurance Plans

Vivitrol® is covered by Medicaid and most insurances. Advanced Rapid Detox upon discharge our Vivitrol® coordinator will help you find a doctor in your area. Vivitrol® is an important tool used to help you overcome your dependence, cravings, and break the cycle of addiction.

Now for some Good News!

There is a safe way that you can get your life back from the day-to-day burden of addiction or dependence on opiates. Most patients say we saved their lives. We save lives through our advanced rapid opiate detoxification procedure. Our experienced medical professionals are available to give you all the help you need to get your life back on track. Now it’s up to you. We’re here to listen, help, and answer your questions.

Aftercare

Our Long-Term Detox Related Aftercare through your treating physician is one of the advantages of choosing Advanced Rapid Detox. Our board-certified doctors are available to answer any of your questions. Upon discharge, our Vivitrol® coordinator will supply you with a list of providers in your area to obtain the injection every 28 days. Vivitrol® blocks all opiates to the brain’s receptors. The Vivitrol® injections are a critical component to help ensure your sobriety. One of our patients recently said that Vivitrol® was like his “life insurance policy.” We agree. It’s that important.

We Applaud Your Courage. You can Do This!

If you are ready to get your life back and want to begin detoxing from opiates, there is no better time to start. Make the call now. We’re here to help you. We have many past patients who are willing to share their experiences with our rapid opiate detox treatment. If you would like to speak with a past patient, please let us know. You’re not alone. You can do this. Be sure to check out the opiate detox testimonials to read what other patients have to say. We’re only a phone call away.