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Treatment
Vivitrol in West Virginia: How It Works and Who It Helps
Vivitrol is a monthly injection that treats opioid and alcohol addiction. Here's how it works, who it's for, and what to expect.
Vivitrol is a medication-assisted treatment option for opioid and alcohol addiction. It’s different from Suboxone because it’s not an opioid — it’s an opioid blocker.
This guide explains how Vivitrol works, who it’s for, and what to expect.
What is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is the brand name for extended-release naltrexone. It’s given as a monthly injection in your buttock muscle.
What it does: Blocks opioid receptors in your brain. If you use opioids while on Vivitrol, you won’t feel anything. No high, no relief. This removes the reward, which helps break the cycle of use.
Vivitrol also reduces alcohol cravings and blocks the pleasurable effects of drinking.
How is Vivitrol different from Suboxone?
Suboxone is a partial opioid. It reduces cravings by gently activating opioid receptors.
Vivitrol is an opioid blocker. It completely blocks opioid receptors.
Key difference: You can start Suboxone while you’re still using opioids. With Vivitrol, you have to be fully detoxed first — 7-10 days off short-acting opioids, 10-14 days off long-acting opioids like methadone.
Who Vivitrol is for
Vivitrol works best for people who:
- Have already detoxed and want to prevent relapse
- Don’t want to take a daily medication
- Prefer a non-opioid treatment
- Have tried Suboxone and it didn’t work
- Are motivated to stay in recovery
Vivitrol is NOT for:
- People who are still actively using (you’ll go into withdrawal)
- People who haven’t detoxed yet
- People who need pain medication (Vivitrol blocks pain meds too)
How to start Vivitrol
Step 1: Detox
You have to be completely off opioids before you can get your first Vivitrol shot. This usually means:
- 7-10 days off heroin, fentanyl, or prescription opioids
- 10-14 days off methadone
- 7 days off Suboxone
Your doctor will do a naloxone challenge test to make sure you’re fully detoxed. If you’re not, the Vivitrol shot will cause precipitated withdrawal.
Step 2: First injection
Once you’re detoxed, you’ll get your first Vivitrol injection. It’s given in your buttock muscle by a healthcare provider.
The injection site might be sore for a few days. That’s normal.
Step 3: Monthly injections
You’ll come back every 28 days for your next shot. You can’t skip doses — if you miss a shot, you lose protection and could relapse.
What Vivitrol feels like
Vivitrol doesn’t make you feel high or sedated. Most people don’t feel anything at all.
What it does:
- Reduces cravings (for some people)
- Blocks the effects of opioids if you use
- Blocks the pleasurable effects of alcohol
What it doesn’t do:
- Get you high
- Make you drowsy
- Impair your ability to work or drive
What if you use while on Vivitrol?
If you use opioids while on Vivitrol, you won’t feel anything. The Vivitrol blocks the opioid from attaching to receptors in your brain.
This can be frustrating, but it’s the point. It removes the reward.
Danger: Some people try to override Vivitrol by using large amounts of opioids. This is extremely dangerous and can cause overdose.
Does Vivitrol block pain medication?
Yes. If you need surgery or have a medical emergency, Vivitrol will block pain medication.
Important: Always tell doctors and dentists that you’re on Vivitrol. They’ll need to use non-opioid pain management options.
Side effects
Most people tolerate Vivitrol well. Common side effects:
- Injection site pain or swelling
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
Serious side effects are rare but include:
- Liver damage (your doctor will monitor this)
- Severe injection site reactions
- Depression
Vivitrol for alcohol use disorder
Vivitrol also treats alcohol addiction. It reduces cravings and blocks the pleasurable effects of drinking.
You don’t have to be detoxed from alcohol to start Vivitrol (unlike with opioids). But you do need to be committed to not drinking.
How long do you stay on Vivitrol?
There’s no set timeline. Some people stay on Vivitrol for 6 months. Some stay on it for a year or longer.
The goal is to give you time to build recovery skills, address underlying issues, and create a life where you don’t need opioids.
When you and your doctor decide you’re ready, you can stop. There’s no withdrawal from Vivitrol because it’s not an opioid.
Vivitrol vs Suboxone: Which is better?
Neither is better. They’re different tools for different situations.
Vivitrol might be better if:
- You’ve already detoxed
- You don’t want to take a daily medication
- You want a non-opioid option
- You’re highly motivated
Suboxone might be better if:
- You’re still using and need help stabilizing
- You can’t complete a detox safely
- You need something that reduces cravings more strongly
- You want more flexibility (can start while using)
What about counseling?
Vivitrol is not a standalone treatment. Counseling is required.
Medication blocks the physical cravings and effects, but it doesn’t address why you were using in the first place. Counseling helps you:
- Understand triggers
- Learn coping skills
- Address trauma or mental health issues
- Build a support system
- Plan for long-term recovery
Cost
If you have Medicaid: Vivitrol is covered with little to no copay.
If you have private insurance: Most plans cover Vivitrol, but you might have a copay.
If you don’t have insurance: The manufacturer offers a patient assistance program. Community mental health centers can help you apply.
What if you relapse while on Vivitrol?
If you relapse, don’t stop your Vivitrol injections. Keep coming back for your monthly shot.
Relapse is part of recovery for a lot of people. It doesn’t mean Vivitrol failed. It means you need more support.
Talk to your counselor about what triggered the relapse and how to adjust your treatment plan.
The detox barrier
The biggest challenge with Vivitrol is getting through detox first. A lot of people can’t complete a 7-10 day detox on their own.
Options:
- Medically supervised detox
- Residential treatment program
- Detox with comfort medications (not opioids)
If you can’t detox safely, Suboxone might be a better starting point. You can always switch to Vivitrol later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drink alcohol while on Vivitrol?
Vivitrol reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol, but it doesn’t make you sick if you drink. However, drinking while in recovery isn’t recommended.
Will Vivitrol show up on a drug test?
No. Vivitrol is naltrexone, which isn’t tested for on standard drug screens.
What happens if you miss a shot?
You lose protection. If you miss your monthly injection, you could relapse. Call your provider right away to reschedule.
Can you get the Vivitrol shot if you’re pregnant?
Talk to your doctor. Vivitrol hasn’t been extensively studied in pregnancy. Suboxone is usually preferred during pregnancy.
Does Vivitrol cause weight gain?
No. Vivitrol doesn’t typically cause weight changes.
If you’re interested in Vivitrol treatment in Southern West Virginia, you can call Southern Highlands’ Vivitrol program at (304) 425-9541 ext. 1525. They serve Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming counties.