Vivitrol Treatment Programs

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The Opioid Crisis and Vivitrol Treatment

Opioid addiction has reached crisis levels in the U.S. In 2016, more than 2 million people in the country were suffering from opioid addiction, and more than 42,000 people died from opioid overdoses.1 These numbers may be even higher today.

The statistics on alcohol addiction are equally alarming. Nearly 13% of the U.S. population is suffering from alcoholism (alcohol use disorder), according to a 2017 study, and an estimated 88,000 people die every year from alcohol-related causes.2,3 This is a nationwide problem—from the shores of New Jersey to the sun-drenched beaches of California.

Drug and alcohol treatment often requires a multi-pronged approach. Breaking the cycle of addiction may require a combination of detox, counseling, and—in some cases—medical interventions, including medications to help combat withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

If you or someone you love is suffering from an addiction to opioids or alcohol, a Vivitrol treatment program may help.

What Is Vivitrol?

Also known as naltrexone, Vivitrol is a non-addictive treatment that has helped many people overcome their addiction to opioids and alcohol when used in conjunction with counseling. Vivitrol is meant to be used after—not during—detox. It’s not designed to be used for in-the-moment cravings, and it’s not a daily treatment. Rather, Vivitrol is an extended-release drug that is given just once a month (via intramuscular injection) to help prevent relapse.

Vivitrol Treatment

How Does Vivitrol Work?

Vivitrol works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. This helps minimize both cravings and the effects of the drugs themselves. To understand how Vivitrol works, it helps to understand how opioid drugs affect the brain.

Our bodies create natural opioids, which help block pain and calm us down. However, the body can’t produce enough natural opioids to stop severe or chronic pain. Opioid drugs (such as Oxycontin and Vicodin) are designed to help combat chronic and severe pain that the body can’t manage on its own.

However, they can easily be misused. This is because the chemical structure of opioid drugs mimics natural transmitters in the brain, which fools receptors and allows the drugs to lock on and activate nerve cells. The drugs cause the brain to release a flood of dopamine, which overstimulates the brain’s reward system and produces euphoric effects. The more a person misuses the drugs, the more the brain learns to repeat the drug-seeking behavior.

Vivitrol works to combat this cycle by creating molecules that bind to opioid receptors in the brain and block the release of dopamine.

What are the Side Effects of Vivitrol?

Vivitrol injections are done intramuscularly, which in itself can cause pain and soreness, among other things. The side effects of Vivitrol range from mild to severe, but most side effects tend to go away on their own over time. If you or someone you know experiences side effects that don’t subside over time, contact a healthcare professional to discuss treatment options for those side effects.

Mild to moderate side effects of Vivitrol include:

  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia
  • Joint pain
  • Injection site pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Weight gain/loss
  • Chest pain

In rare cases, those who undergo Vivitrol treatment can develop depression, which can bring about symptoms such as:

  • Sadness
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Feelings of helplessness
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Seemingly random crying spells

Whether it’s a severe injection site reaction, or newly onset symptoms of depression, don’t take moderate to severe side effects of Vivitrol treatment lightly. Get in contact with your healthcare provider as quickly as possible so that you can get the treatment you need.

How Long Does the Vivitrol Shot Last?

The exact length of time that Vivitrol will be detecable in your system varies from person to person. This is based on several factors, like metabolism, age, gender, weight, medical history, and more.

Typically, given that the injection is intramuscular, the medication is in your system for a fair amount of time. Vivitrol is designed as a slow-release medication, lasting in the body for about a month. On average, the concentration of the medication will begin to wane around two weeks. For most people undergoing the treatment, a shot will be given every 28 days.

Vivitrol May Work for You or Your Loved One

Prescription medications have been used successfully for years in the course of treatment for alcohol and opioid addiction—Campral for alcohol detox and Suboxone for opioid addiction are two examples—but, while these drugs help to address struggles during and immediately after detox, Vivitrol helps over the longer term.

Vivitrol is designed to be used after detox is complete (7-14 days of sobriety are typically required for a person to begin doses). It helps people stay clear-headed during the vulnerable initial stages of recovery by diminishing the desire to use.

A double-blind study involving two groups—one that used Vivitrol plus counseling for opioid addiction, the other that used a placebo plus counseling—found that those treated with Vivitrol were 17 times less likely to relapse due to physical dependence than the placebo group. The Vivitrol group also had significantly reduced cravings, and they stayed in treatment longer.

Rehabilitation With Vivitrol

BlueCrest Recovery Center in New Jersey offers world-class care for people suffering from opioid abuse or alcohol addiction. In conjunction with counseling, support groups, and other services, Vivitrol can help.

We offer both a traditional outpatient program and an intensive outpatient program (IOP) at our outpatient treatment center for those who have completed detox. The highly trained staff at our addiction recovery center is focused on providing personalized care designed to address each person’s unique needs. Our services complement medical treatments and can include:

  • Medication management (which can include Vivitrol)
  • Individual and group therapy sessions
  • Treatment for co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, we can help. Please call (973) 298-5776 to learn more about our drug and alcohol rehabilitation program in New Jersey.

Wellness Begins at BlueCrest Recovery Center

If you or someone you know could benefit from our Vivitrol Treatment Program in NJ, please contact our team right away to discuss possible treatments, scheduling, and more. We’ll happily walk you through the process, answer any questions you may have, and more. Don’t hesitate to take your first step on the path to recovery, or to help someone close to you take their first step. Begin your journey towards wellness now.

Heal in Mind, Body, and Spirit

Contact BlueCrest Recovery Today

Reach out to our team today to learn more about how our rehab programs can help you transform your life.

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Yes, all information provided is kept confidential and once engaged in treatment; all aspects of treatment are confidential unless otherwise noted by a signed release of information.

We accept most major private insurances. If you do not have insurance, private pay options can be discussed.

At BlueCrest Recovery Center, you will receive a comprehensive multifaceted approach to treatment that includes both group therapy sessions and individual one-on-one therapy sessions based on your unique needs.

Yes, we offer both family support and education groups run by a licensed clinician as well as individual family sessions. Every family and every person is unique, our clinicians will work with you to determine the best approach to healing for yourself and your family.

BlueCrest Recovery Center will conduct an assessment, or level of care evaluation. The goal is to determine the appropriate level of care to meet the client’s individual needs and to provide a recommendation.

Yes, in fact clients with co-occurring illnesses tend to be very successful in our program. Every client that comes to BlueCrest receives a comprehensive psychological evaluation to determine what specific mental health needs they have. From there, a personalized treatment plan that addresses both the substance use and mental health concerns.

BlueCrest Recovery adheres to the highest treatment standards established by its accrediting agencies. BlueCrest is currently accredited by Joint Commission and   The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities also known as CARF. These governing agencies certify that our services are consistently meeting rigorous treatment standards and to ensure the highest quality of care is always being provided.

Group schedules for all treatment days are outlined by a clinical curriculum that integrates a multitude of the treatment modalities we offer. Our therapists will conduct weekly individual sessions with each client. These one-on-one sessions most often occurs during treatment hours in lieu of a group session. BlueCrest’s clinical schedule offers comprehensive and diverse therapeutic approaches including, among many others, process (discussion) group, 12-step education/didactic groups, yoga and meditation sessions and life skills training.

Transitioning from treatment to independent living is a common relapse trigger. BlueCrest’s multiple levels of care are intended to gradually “step-down” clinical structure as clients build independence and grow their 12-step program. Clinicians and our Case Manager will assist in making any necessary aftercare referrals for continued care including but not limited to psychiatrists, doctors and therapists.