Treat Alcohol Dependence With a Once-Month Injection With Vivitrol

Alcohol Use Disorder

In the United States, alcohol use disorder is the third leading preventable cause of death. A survey done in 2019 found that over 14 million Americans (age 12 and older) suffered from alcohol use disorder. One possible solution is the use of Vivitrol for alcohol.

Due to many different factors (such as people working/staying at home more), the number of people suffering from alcohol addiction remains very high. Chances are that if you’re reading this, you or someone you know struggles with drinking alcohol and may be interested in safe ways to stop drinking.

If physically dependent on alcohol, it can be very dangerous to try to quit cold turkey. In fact, alcohol withdrawal can actually kill you. Since withdrawal from alcohol is so dangerous, it also makes the idea of quitting drinking seem extremely difficult and/or virtually impossible.

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There are many medications being prescribed currently that are used as part of treatment methods to help people addicted to different substances. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) makes use of medication and psychotherapy to help people with drug and alcohol withdrawal as well as help reduce cravings so that long-term sobriety is more attainable.

One of the most effective MAT medications for alcohol use disorder is Vivitrol. It’s an extended-release form of the drug naltrexone that is injected intramuscularly into the buttocks once a month. It has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of alcohol relapse and help people maintain abstinence long-term.

What is Vivitrol?

Vivitrol is a long-acting injectable form of naltrexone, which is a medication used to treat two substance use disorders – opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder (alcoholism). Vivitrol is used as part of a treatment program. It helps prevent people with alcohol or opioid dependence from feeling like they need to use these substances.

It is non-addictive or dependent, unlike other MAT medications.

Who is Vivitrol for?

Vivitrol has proven to be most effective when the person taking it has a high resolve to stop drinking alcohol altogether. If you are looking to cut down on the amount you drink, Vivitrol is probably not the right medication for you.

You should not take Vivitrol if:

You are physically dependent on opioids such as morphine or heroin
You are allergic to any of Vivtrols ingredients
You have a severe liver disease

How Does Naltrexone Work?

Naltrexone blocks the parts of your brain that “feel” pleasure from alcohol and narcotics. When these areas of the brain are blocked, you feel less need to drink alcohol, and you can stop drinking more easily.

Naltrexone does not make you feel sick if you drink alcohol while taking it, unlike disulfiram (brand name: Antabuse), another medicine that is sometimes used for alcoholism.

Since you won’t experience the euphoria when you drink alcohol while on Naltrexone, it deters many people who struggle with alcohol abuse from drinking. Vivitrol is very effective because of the fact that you only need to have it injected once a month.

That way, when you get the injection, you know that drinking alcohol over the next 30 days is not going to give you the effect you want. When used in conjunction with therapy, Vivitrol can help a person free from the bondage of alcohol addiction.