Vivitrol for Alcohol Use Disorder: Uses, Dosage, and Side Effects

In the U.S., almost 14.1 million adults aged 18 or older struggled with alcohol use disorder (AUD) in 2019. Under such circumstances, it is essential to seek professional help to stop this alarming trend. With the help of medication such as Vivitrol for alcoholism and psychotherapies, these issues can be addressed. 

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What Is Vivitrol?

The injectable form of Naltrexone®, marketed under the name Vivitrol®, is listed among the FDA-approved medications. Vivitrol® is a form of naltrexone that is employed to address opioid use disorder (OUD) as well as alcohol use disorder (AUD). Being an opioid antagonist, Vivitrol® obstructs alcohol and opioid agents that can increase the desire for alcohol or opioids. Though Naltrexone® is available in oral form as well, when it comes to Vivitrol®, is a long-acting injection that is administered intramuscularly and helps individuals with Vivitrol withdrawal symptoms and minimizes the recurring urge to consume alcohol. 

Prescribed Dosage for Vivitrol

The recommended Vivitrol dose for alcoholism, administered intramuscularly, is 380 mg once every four weeks. Your doctor or other medical experts will inject the dosage of Vivitrol into the hip muscle.

Follow the following instructions to keep yourself safe:

• Remember that Vivitrol for alcoholism is only handled by a healthcare professional. 
• The above-mentioned information shows the average often used or recommended by medical experts.
• You need to make sure to follow the dose instructions provided by your doctor. To meet your demands, they will choose the optimal dose.

What Does Vivitrol Do? Uses and Efficacies

Opioids and alcohol can stimulate the central nervous system (CNS), producing euphoric feelings. Vivitrol® was first formulated and approved in 2006 to prevent relapse in individuals who heavily struggled with alcohol use disorder. For OUD, Vivitrol® got approval in 2010. 

Drinking and Taking Vivitrol at the Same Time

Vivitrol for alcohol and opiates works as an impediment against these substances and remains inside the body, thus protecting it for a long time. There is no link between using Naltrexone® after detoxing because it does not bind to opioid receptor sites when taken as directed.

Vivitrol® is also an effective medication for opioid use disorder. Currently, Vivitrol® is the only OUD medication not classified as a controlled substance. 

The Efficacy of Vivitrol for Alcoholism: What Does Research Say?

The research conducted on Vivitrol for alcohol was quite positive. The conclusion of the findings is explained below:

• Those with alcohol use disorders who received treatment with Vivitrol® and counseling for recovery spent longer periods abstaining from alcohol and saw fewer relapses.
• In conclusion, the urge to drink should eventually vanish in those who return to their previous habits, as it no longer seems to have any advantages in terms of pleasure. 

 If you or someone you care about suffers from AUD, contact our addiction treatment center at 844.445.2565 or fill out this form to sign up at ChoicePoint. 

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Longevity of Vivitrol Shot

The impact of Vivitrol® only lasts for approximately a month in their bodies, so most people who struggle with AUD require it at least once a month. The following are some of the facts regarding Vivitrol®:

• Vivitrol® is an injectable that a person may be given once a month. 
• In almost 25 to 50 days, you can expect Vivitrol® to leave your body. 
• The longevity of the presence of Vivitrol® in the body depends upon various factors.
• After the first two hours of administration, Vivitrol®’s effects peak, and they do so again two to three days later.
• The body’s ability to retain the medicine within two weeks will wane after the last dose.
• Depending on the individual, some may eliminate Vivitrol® more quickly than others.

How Long Does Vivitrol Last? What Are the Critical Factors?

Though the average time exists somewhere between 25 and 50 days, to determine how long Vivitrol® will last in your body, it depends upon:

• Vivitrol’s half-life
• Your metabolism
• Gender
• Age
• How hydrated are you
• Exercise and body mass

This means that Vivitrol’s testing time can vary from person to person. Therefore, the disparity in the time frame may seem large. You must consider Vivitrol’s half-life when estimating how long it remains in the body. Half-life indicates how long it takes for the body to metabolize and remove 50% of the medication. 

Important Safety Information

Are There Side Effects of Vivitrol Shot?

Vivitrol®, a medication, may also offer certain mild to severe side effects, ranging from person to person. However, in most people, these side effects will not last long and will wear off with time. The following are some Vivitrol side effects that may prevail::

• Sleepiness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Low appetite 
• Anxiety
• Headache
• Muscle or stomach cramps
• Irritability
• Pain in the joints
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Chest pain

Most of these side effects can be addressed by your doctor. However, if depression or anxiety worsens and symptoms like self-harming thoughts intrude, you should get in touch with your healthcare provider immediately. Another rare side effect of Vivitrol is bruising and the prevalence of allergic reactions at the injection site. In such a case, you should be able to talk to your doctor, who can take the necessary precautions to avoid this. 

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Vivitrol Treatment Program at ChoicePoint

If you came here searching for “Vivitrol shot near me,” you have come to the right place. ChoicePoint is an addiction treatment center that caters to individuals with AUD, OUD, and dual diagnoses. We offer a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program under which you can get a Vivitrol shot. 

MAT Program for AUD

Drugs that the FDA has licensed are used in MAT for AUD to reduce cravings and other addictive habits, such as the recurring desire to intake the drug. Our MAT program is intended to:

• Addressing several co-occurring disorders
• Minimizing signs of withdrawal
• reduce the risk of relapse

The following medications are employed in our MAT program to assist with the aforementioned problems:

• Vivitrol®
• Buprenorphine®
• Naltrexone®
• Suboxone®
• Subutex®

However, once our doctors have assessed you, they will choose the treatment best suited to your needs and recommend it to you accordingly. At ChoicePoint, we believe in giving priority to the lives of our patients, which is why we offer personalized treatments so that all the issues leading to addiction can be minimized. We Implement Vivitrol for alcoholism dependency as well as opioid use disorders. 

One of our patients, whose name we shall not mention because of HIPAA regulations, shared their experience, saying, “I was in the pit of despair and thought there was no hope. No matter how much I’d commit to not drinking, I eventually would. I was still hopeless when my sister forced me to opt for ChoicePoint as my rehab. I am so glad she did because, thanks to the staff’s cooperation and support, I have remained sober since the treatment. It has been three months since I quit drinking. I can confidently say that I am happier than ever!“

In conclusion, taking alcohol addiction lightly can potentially make you compromise on your relationships. It is also life-threatening, so seeking help when it is near you should be your top priority. Because drinking alcohol during adolescence can have long-term effects on your cognitive, social, and emotional development, the issue should be addressed to avoid losing everything valuable in you.