Apr 22, 2013 | By Tim Stoddart
Vivitrol – Miracle Drug or Easy Way Out?
Addiction & Recovery NewsVivitrol isn’t a new drug, but it’s slowly receiving more and more interest. In 2006, Vivitrol was approved by the FDA to treat alcoholism. In 2010, the FDA expanded its approval for Vivitrol to be used to treat opioid addiction. For some people who are addicted to opiates, Vivitrol is nothing short of a miracle. Vivitrol is extended-release naltrexone, and it’s given as an injection once per month. It may not be a cure for addiction, but it could be the next best thing.
How Vivitrol Works
There are medications out there used to treat opioid addiction, but they are fundamentally different from Vivitrol. Methadone and buprenorphine (i.e. Suboxone), for example, are drugs called agonists. Agonists mimic the effects of opiate use in the brain. Vivitrol, on the other hand, uses naltrexone, which is an antagonist, and it actually blocks the effects of opiate use so that opiates (or alcohol) do not have the same pleasing effect. Before, naltrexone was used in pill form and required people to take it every day. Vivitrol is vastly different, in that only one injection is needed each month. Injections need to be given exactly four weeks apart. If there is a delay in between, there is the increased risk of cravings and relapse.
Vivitrol for Opioid Addiction
If someone wants to take Vivitrol for their opioid addiction, they cannot have any opiates for at least 7-10 days before their first injection. Because of this, it’s clear that Vivitrol isn’t the answer for breaking an addiction to opiates. Before an opioid-dependent person can take Vivitrol, they must detox from opiates, which is a difficult process. Strong withdrawal symptoms and cravings make it difficult to quit opiates without help and determination. Once a person begins Vivitrol injections, they are expected to use Vivitrol for about 6-12 months, but sometimes longer. The most important thing, however, is that people who are using Vivitrol also use other types of treatment to sustain their recovery, such as counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or a 12-step program. People who use Vivitrol in conjunction with other treatment have a much higher success rate.
Is It a Miracle Drug?
In a double-blind study by the FDA, 36 percent of people who used Vivitrol stayed clean, as compared to 23 percent in the placebo group. Another study in Russia of 250 heroin addicts showed that 70 percent of those who used Vivitrol for at least six months stayed clean. Vivitrol has succeeded in helping many addicts quit using opiates when other attempts failed. One of the biggest advancements of Vivitrol is that people need to get an injection only once per month. Other types of addiction medicine requires a person to remember to take their medication on a daily basis, and everyday they are faced with the decision of whether or not to continue taking it. Vivitrol helps to solve some of those issues. The biggest downside to Vivitrol, however, is the cost. Many insurance companies do not provide full or any coverage for Vivitrol, and injections can cost $1,000-$1,500 each. The high cost is the main reason why Vivitrol is not being more frequently used in rehabs and treatment centers. The company that produces Vivitrol is called Alkermes, and it does offer a program that gives reimbursement to the user each month up to $500, which can make it easier for some to afford.
It was brought to our attention by a reader that there was in error in a statement posted in this article. Although it does mention several times throughout the post that Vivitrol should be administered once every month (~4 weeks), there was a typo in the statement “Injections need to be given exactly four months apart.” It should have read “every four weeks”, and has since been updated. As a whole, Sober Nation does not endorse, nor oppose any one particular way to recovery. Our goal is to provide resources to those suffering or affected by addiction. This is an anonymous thank you to the person who brought this to our attention. I have also decided to link to the Vivitrol Medication Guide PDF to provide further information to those considering this treatment. ~Sober Nation Staff
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LAU
10 years ago
MIRACLE DRUG ? EASY WAY OUT?
WHATEVER WORKS! ANYTHING IS BETTER THEN “THAT LIFE”
LAU
10 years ago
MIRACLE DRUG ? EASY WAY OUT?
WHATEVER WORKS! ANYTHING IS BETTER THEN “THAT LIFE”
Jocelyn
10 years ago
Who could prescribe this? A pcp? My fiance is in recovery but stays clean with the use of methadone. This sounds like a much better alternative. How can I get more information?
Jeff
10 years ago
Geez why so expensive!!! They are making it near impossible for people to get it . Sad. They could help so many people. I HATE pharmaceutical companies. All they care about is money. Its almost the same thing as having a cure for cancer and charging 100,000 for it and just letting folks die who cant afford it. Shame on them.
Lauren
9 years ago
It’s expensive, and if you have insurance it’s almost always covered. I work at a Dr’s office and 90% of our patients that get the shot (about 50 people) have full coverage for the shot. The problem is that most offices either don’t know how or are not willing to do the work associated with getting the medication approved by the insurance company. The pharmaceutical company also supplies a copay card that covers up to $500 of the shot, so even if you’re paying cash, it covers about half the cost. You have use the copay card with insurance as well, it will cover whatever copay you have, up to $500. This is how most people pay $0 for the shot. So in conclusion, it’s not the insurances fault, or the pharma, it’s the office staff that doesn’t want to put in the hard work to save peoples’ lives!!
maddie
10 years ago
you might wanna fix where it says four months apart to 4 weeks apart …..
Christina
10 years ago
I have personally been getting the vivitrol injections for the last year. I can say that the first three to four months, a week before my next injection I began to crave. Then as the months went on the cravings subsided to almost none at all. I also have had to work a very strong program to relieve the obsession. With those two things in place it has made my recovery do able. I just celebrated a year clean and sober, with out the vivitrol and working a strong program I more than likely would have relapsed. Now that my injections have come to the end due to the expense of the shot I have chosen to ween myself by switching to the pill form naltrexone for a few months. The pill for is always going to be there if i need it, but I feel that the vivitrol shot is a miracle drug not a an easy way out, because you still have to do the work to stay clean and sober. Its not going to cure you by any means, but it does help you get over the hill and on the road to success.
jan
10 years ago
My son just got his first shot. I am naturally suspect to anything at this point that he says is good to block his cravings. My question is two-fold: 1-Do you get a buzz from the shot? And 2-can you still get high if you shoot dope while getting the shot? Much thanks, Jan
Tom
10 years ago
Study programs are one thing but if an addict has $500.00 or $1000.00 do you really thing they are going to be thinking about recovery?
It’s a shame that recovery has become big business.
Tom
10 years ago
Study programs are one thing but if an addict has $500.00 or $1000.00 do you really thing they are going to be thinking about recovery?
It’s a shame that recovery has become big business.
BONNIE HINOJOS
10 years ago
HEROIN IS ONE OF THE HARDEST DRUGS TO QUIT. I HAVE SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE WHO I LOVE STRUGGLE WITH THIS ADDICTION. I AGREE WHATEVER WORKS IS BETTER THAN A LIFE AS A HEROIN ADDICT OR ANY ADDICT AT THAT MATTER…. TOO EXPENSIVE THOUGH SO IT WONT REACH THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT THE MOST.
Mike
10 years ago
Jan, it is an antagonist so there is no psychoactive effect in the brain. That means there is no buzz and aside from relieving post acute withdrawal symptoms on a low end scale or doesn’t effect the way you feel. Second, no, if he is taking vivitrol and uses any opiate on any way it will not give him a high.
Also very few people pay cash for vivitrol, most insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mike
10 years ago
Jan, it is an antagonist so there is no psychoactive effect in the brain. That means there is no buzz and aside from relieving post acute withdrawal symptoms on a low end scale or doesn’t effect the way you feel. Second, no, if he is taking vivitrol and uses any opiate on any way it will not give him a high.
Also very few people pay cash for vivitrol, most insurance companies will cover the cost.
tammy
10 years ago
I’m a woman in recovery. I spent 16yrs drowning in heroin addiction. I tried many, MANY different ways to get and stay SOBER. People are all different. I’ve been around many addicts in time. I’ve seen close to none kick this beast without the help of some meds. I almost gave in to the grave but tried one more way.,….. Thank God he didn’t give up on me. I’m coming up on a year SOBER (only cause I put work in with mtgs.as support). My life is forever changed!! DON’T GIVE UP!! Keep trying. People love you. But without the help of yourself doing work (counselling, a.a., n.a. support) it doesn’t work. Whatever works…do it!
Sandra Fleming
10 years ago
I am a counselor at a methadone clinic as well as a person in recovery from years of opiate addiction. I am pleased to hear that there is a drug to assist in recovery from opiates…but, no medication can work alone without some type of support group and/or counseling that will assist you in working through what got you there in the first place. Addiction is patient…and if you don’t have $1,000 ready at the end of 4 weeks to take that injection, your disease will be ready to pounce and take you prisoner again. Hate the costs…I am hopeful though…
Gabbie
10 years ago
I am a nurse and have been giving Vivitrol injections to patients for the last four and a half years. Prior to this I worked on an addictions detox unit. I have seen people struggling with their addictions whether alcohol or opiates and come back to the unit over and over again. I work in an outpatient department now and coordinate a Medication Clinic there. I want to say that I have noticed an amazing difference with so many of the patients that come to see me on a monthly basis and they always ask me why is it that they haven’t heard about the medication before and why are more people not using it. I have to agree that for those that are uninsured the cost is high. I now that there are some places that you can get the medication for a lower price and that the copay assistance card for $500.00 works. Most private insurance companies do pay for the medication. Some may need a prior authorization for you to get the medication. Most of my patients, that were desperate and/or ready to fight this disease, are doing amazingly well with the Vivitrol. Pt’s are coming back every month to receive the medication for approximately a year. I have seen some for much longer. Their lives are back to normal, family relationships are better overall, they are working and productive in their lives, they are able to focus on their recovery instead of constantly having cravings and thoughts of alcohol or opiates. When they can focus on recovery, they learn different ways to cope with anxieties and stressors. They become stronger and then when the time comes they stop taking the medication (this medication is non-addictive). They always know that if the cravings come back they can come back to see me. It is not a cure, the medication just helps people get back on their feet. Many of my patients/clients tell me that they prefer the injection to the pill form. A couple of things to note … if you are not ready to take this medication it can be very dangerous for those addicted to opiates especially. You may not feel the effect of opiates but if you continue to use while on this medication you could go into respiratory depression meaning that you will stop breathing and this ultimately leads to death. This is not a medication that you take and then try to use to see if it really works. Your body still has the opiates within if you use and even if you do not feel the effects of it, it is extremely dangerous. This includes those that take the vivitrol for alcohol … you cannot use opiates while you are on this medication. Also, read all of the adverse effects and know about the medication. Speak to an addictions specialist because many doctors do not know about the medication at all or they don’t know enough about it. Hope this information helps.
Ryan
10 years ago
I am a heroin addict un recovery, I have been getting the generic vovitrol shot, naltrexone, every 4 weeks for the past year. It truly has helped me in my recovery. It is my safety net. Not only that but it helps repair the damage sone to your brain while using drugs. I coupled the shot with inpatient treatment and then followed by intensive outpatient treatment and now AA meetings and working for a treatment center. There is no one thing that will get you clean and sober and stay that way but for me the shot was crucial. I love it. I plan to continue getting it for the foreseeable future. I dont have insurance so I pay out of pocket which is why I went with the generic Naltrexone shot which hasnt been approved by the FDA but I have had both and there was no distinguishable difference. The generic is $350 a shot. A significant improvement from $1200. Please feel free to email me wutg questions at Ryanjamesdrake@gmail.com
Lori
9 years ago
You said. 4wks i thought 4mon. Congrats on stayinhg clean and you give ppl lots of hope
Cheryl
7 years ago
Vivtrol has made me a useless human being. I can hardly get out of bed. I take one bite of food a day if I’m lucky enough to keep it down. I sleep a total of 1-2 hours a night. Every morning it feels like I’m going through withdrawals all over again. My cravings have never subsided. I just feel so malaise ( yet I can’t close my eyes ) that I don’t have the energy to get up and buy anything. If it was here I would definitely use it though. Now I see why people get suicidal on this medication. Almost to my next shot. Hooray ?
Melanie Bell
4 years ago
I was on it for four months after a SEVERE alcohol addiction. For me, it did not relieve cravings but took away the effects of alcohol, completely! So what’s the point of drinking?! That helped me get & stay sober so I could work on my recovery. And yes, therapy & support are equally important. It is A HUGE improvement to the addiction arsenal. Whatever works, work it! ?
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