Vivitrol to Curb Opiate Cravings?

Current stats from the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimate that some 810,000 Americans are addicted to heroin and 1.85 million to opioid painkillers like OxyContin. For years, the main options for treatment of opiate addiction included methadone or Suboxone, but in 2006 the FDA approved a new option called Vivitrol that is gaining in popularity. While patients have to venture to the local pharmacy for Suboxone or make daily visits to the clinic for their methadone, Vivitrol is a long-acting formula that is injected monthly.

It may be easier to take, but what are the results? Initial studies show that after six monthly shots, 70 percent of those who received Vivitrol hadn't gone back to using narcotics — double the rate of patients who had received a placebo. Vivitrol also seems to reduce cravings for narcotics, for reasons that aren't yet clear to the experts. Heroin users have gone so far as to say it takes the cravings away. No medication is foolproof, but if a medication can be used for a limited period of time to allow someone the opportunity to become clean, it’s worth exploring.

Prescription Drug Rehab

If someone you love is in need of prescription drug rehab, call The Canyon at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.