When patients come to us for opioid or alcohol dependence treatment, their biggest concern is replacing one substance with another. With MAT treatment, you aren’t swapping out addictions.
Through non-opioid approaches to recovery, you can achieve success without the risk of setting yourself back on your recovery journey. Vivitrol through AppleGate Recovery is a monthly injection that offers a different path.
- Vivitrol is an extended-release naltrexone injection.
- It is completely non-opioid and non-addictive.
- The medication works as an opioid receptor antagonist, blocking the effects of opioids and reducing the rewarding effects of alcohol.
- FDA-approved to treat both Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
How Does Vivitrol Work?
Vivitrol is an antagonist medication. Unlike other treatment medications like buprenorphine, Vivitrol does not activate opioid receptors in the brain. Instead, the medication attaches to those receptors and blocks them, preventing other substances from interacting with them. At AppleGate Recovery, we like to call this effect the “total receptor blockade.”
What This Means for Patients
When Vivitrol is active in the body:
- Opioids cannot produce a euphoric effect
- Alcohol loses much of its pleasurable reinforcement
- The cycle of reward that drives repeated use is interrupted
Vivitrol denial of substance effects forces the brain to gradually break the learned association between substances and reward.
The Detox Requirement Before Starting Vivitrol
Before starting Vivitrol injections, patients must complete detoxification and be fully opioid-free for at least 7-10 days.
Total detoxification helps avoid the risk of precipitated withdrawal, which is an intense and sudden withdrawal reaction. We want to help you avoid this risk at all cost and that’s why we carefully confirm that our Vivitrol patients have completed detox before the first injection of medication.
The detox requirement makes Vivitrol particularly helpful for patients who:
- Have already completed a detox program
- Have recently been discharged from residential treatment
- Want protection against relapse after stopping opioids
- Prefer a non-opioid medication option
Vivitrol for Alcohol Use Disorder
Vivitrol is also FDA-approved to treat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
Much like with opioids, Vivitrol blocks endorphin pathways in the brain that create pleasure and reinforcement that lead to repeated drinking and cravings.
As a result, many patients experience:
- Reduced urge to drink
- Less reinforcement from alcohol
- Improved control over drinking behaviors
Vivitrol can be particularly helpful for patients experiencing co-occurring substance use challenges. Imagine a streamlined approach with one medication for multiple recovery goals.
Benefits of Vivitrol as a Non-Addictive Treatment
For many patients, the clinical safety behind Vivitrol is what creates a strong sense of confidence and clarity during recovery.
No Risk of Physical Dependence
Vivitrol is not an opioid-based medication. It does not produce physical dependence. If treatment stops, there is no withdrawal syndrome for patients to fear.
No Potential for Misuse
Because Vivitrol does not create euphoria or sedation, it has no street value and no potential for abuse. This eliminates concerns about diversion or misuse.
Ideal for Certain Professions
Individuals working in regulated or safety-sensitive professions, prefer Vivitrol. These professions include:
- Healthcare professionals
- Commercial drivers
- Law enforcement
- Aviation and transportation fields
The non-opioid nature of the medication allows patients to pursue recovery without concerns about narcotic medications affecting their professional requirements.
Simple Monthly Treatment
Vivitrol is administered as a single intramuscular injection in the gluteal muscle once every 28 days.
It has an extended-release that eliminates the need for daily dosing. This makes it the ideal choice for patients who want consistent treatment without frequent medication management.
Is Vivitrol the Right Choice for Your Recovery?
Vivitrol can be an excellent option for individuals who:
- Have completed opioid detox
- Want a non-opioid recovery approach
- Recovering from alcohol use disorder
- Prefer monthly treatment rather than daily medication
- Want additional protection against relapse
At AppleGate Recovery, our medical team evaluates each patient’s history, treatment goals, and clinical needs before recommending the most appropriate medication option.
Start Your Path to Recovery With AppleGate Recovery
At AppleGate Recovery, we support your recovery goals without implementing additional risk. We never swap out one addiction for another, and our use of Vivitrol is powerful proof of our methods.
If you want a non-opioid treatment option that reduces your addictive urges, we are here to help!
Contact us today to learn more about Vivitrol injection treatment and if it’s the right path for you!
FAQs
Is Vivitrol an opioid or a narcotic?
No. Vivitrol is 100% non-opioid and non-addictive. It is a “blocker” (antagonist), meaning it does not cause a high and does not create physical dependence.
Why do I have to wait 7 to 10 days after my last opioid use to start Vivitrol?
Because Vivitrol clears your receptors of any existing opioids, taking it too soon will cause sudden, severe withdrawal symptoms (precipitated withdrawal). A 7–10 day “clean period” ensures your body is ready to receive the medication safely.
What happens if I drink or use opioids while on Vivitrol?
Vivitrol blocks the receptors that allow you to feel the “high” or euphoria from these substances. However, trying to “override” the blocker by using large amounts of opioids is extremely dangerous and significantly increases the risk of a fatal overdose.
Can Vivitrol help with my alcohol cravings?
Yes. Vivitrol is highly effective for Alcohol Use Disorder because it interferes with the brain’s reward system, making drinking less pleasurable and significantly reducing the frequency and intensity of cravings.