Vivitrol Medication: Common Uses & Side Effects

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Opioid addiction has ravaged this country for the past two decades. Opioids work by targeting the neurotransmitters in your brain that release euphoric endorphins; they are commonly used as pain killers as they override the pain one is feeling with the feeling of pleasure. However, this is also what makes them so addictive, as users seek that feeling of euphoria to block out everything else in their life.

Treating opioid addiction is a complicated process that requires more than detox and counseling. Many treatment programs also utilize medications, such as Vivitrol to help deal with withdrawal symptoms and limit the chance of relapsing. This article will examine Vivitrol, its benefits, and some common Vivitrol side effects.

What is Vivitrol?

Vivitrol is a drug used during medically assisted treatment for those suffering from opioid substance abuse. Like many medications used for treating substance abuse, it works by targeting the neuroreceptors that induce euphoria. These receptors are stimulated and overworked by opioid abuse and are what makes quitting opioids so difficult for most abusers.

However, other drugs work by stimulating these receptors, so instead of needing opioids to induce the feeling of euphoria, addicts can rely on the safer, medically controlled drugs. Unfortunately, this can cause people to depend on the medications making it hard to get clean.

Instead, Vivitrol blocks the neuroreceptors that opioids target, eliminating their effect on the brain and, over time, the brain’s dependence on opioids. With Vivitrol, detox, and counseling, your chances of successfully getting clean are exponentially higher.

Common Vivitrol Side Effects

Introducing a foreign substance into your body will almost always induce side effects that will disappear over time as your body adjusts. Some common Vivitrol side effects people are:

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Drowsiness
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of appetite
  • Anxiety
  • Muscles, aches and joint pain

Benefits of Vivitrol

Vivitrol Injections are Only Given Once a Month

Unlike many other drugs used for medically assisted treatment for substance abuse, Vivitrol is only taken once a month with a simple shot by a licensed physician. Many other medications are taken daily in pill form. Still, Vivitrol is different because it has an extended-release formula allowing the drug to work slowly and keep your euphoric neuroreceptors blocked for an extended period.

Vivitrol is a Non Addictive Treatment

Unlike other medications, Vivitrol does not stimulate the brain to reproduce the effects of opioids. Instead, it completely blocks the opioid receptors in one’s brain. Since no euphoric effects occur while using Vivitrol, it is non-habit forming. Furthermore, since the shot is administered only once a month by a medical professional, it is almost impossible to depend on it even if it is addictive.

With Vivitrol and Counseling, a Sober Life Can Be Yours

As we have explored, Vivitrol is extremely beneficial in treating substance abuse and preventing relapses, but it’s not a one-stop cure for opioid addiction. Counseling and therapy are still required to tackle the root of one’s substance abuse problems and help deal with the mental triggers that lead one to take drugs.

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