It depends on whether you are taking Vivitrol for opioid or alcohol dependence. In the United States, 2.3 million adults aged 18 or older were reported to have an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States in 2019. Though far less normalized and embedded in culture, opioid addiction is just as prevalent across the US. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that over 2.7 million people in the United States suffer from Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Vivitrol is given as an injection monthly by a doctor, but most general physicians won’t keep the medication on hand. Finding an outpatient addiction clinic is usually your best option.
For Healthcare Professionals
However, if an individual drinks alcohol while on Vivitrol, it can reduce the amount of naltrexone that is available to block these receptors. This can make it easier for the individual to experience the pleasurable effects of alcohol, which can increase the risk of relapse. Vivitrol (naltrexone) works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking the intoxicating, euphoric, and pain-relief effects of opioids and alcohol. It is typically administered as an intramuscular injection once per month.
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- You must stop taking opioids before you start receiving VIVITROL.
- Individuals who are on Vivitrol still need to attend therapy and participate in other recovery activities in order to maintain their sobriety.
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Does Vivitrol interact with my other drugs?
However, if an individual drinks alcohol while on Vivitrol and then tries to use opioids, they may be more likely to overdose because the medication is still in their system. Vivitrol is a long-acting injectable form of naltrexone, which is a medication used to treat two substance use disorders – opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder (alcoholism). It helps prevent people with alcohol or opioid dependence from feeling like they need to use these substances. Another potential risk of drinking while on Vivitrol is that it can increase the risk of liver damage. Alcohol is processed by the liver, and excessive drinking can cause damage to this vital organ.
Specific Guides
A person can still become impaired can you drink on vivitrol from alcohol while on Vivitrol. Vivitrol does not make a person sick if they drink alcohol, nor does it make the physical effects of alcohol go away. Treating alcohol use disorder with Vivitrol (naltrexone) requires that a person be alcohol-free before receiving their first injection of Vivitrol. Start a conversation with your healthcare provider about whether VIVITROL may be right for you. Watch personal stories from others in recovery and their experiences with VIVITROL.
Professional resources
Naltrexone is also used for the treatment of opioid use disorder. You must stop taking opioids before you start receiving VIVITROL. To be effective, VIVITROL must be used with other alcohol or drug recovery programs such as counseling. It is not known if VIVITROL is safe and effective in children. You must be opioid-free before receiving Vivitrol unless your healthcare provider decides that you don’t need to go through detox first.
It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. Acamprosate and naltrexone are two different medications that are used in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. They work in different ways to help people who are dependent on alcohol to abstain from drinking it.
- Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.
- An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does.
- Knowing that Vivitrol will prevent the high and that opioid relapse can be deadly certainly raises the stakes and adds an extra deterrent.
- Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with Vivitrol.
- One of the main risks of drinking while on Vivitrol is that it can decrease the effectiveness of the medication.
Side Effects of Vivitrol:
Using opioids in the 7 to 14 days before you start receiving Vivitrol may cause you to suddenly have symptoms of opioid withdrawal when you get your injection. Sudden opioid withdrawal can be severe, and you may need to go to the hospital. There are significant risks from VIVITROL treatment, including risk of opioid overdose, severe reactions at the injection site, sudden opioid withdrawal, liver damage or hepatitis. It’s crucial to understand that individual reactions to Vivitrol and alcohol can vary widely.
Campral is used to help people with alcohol dependence quit drinking alcohol. To be effective, treatment with Vivitrol must be used with other alcohol or drug recovery programs such as counseling. Usually, it’s recommended to wait 72 hours after the last dose of Suboxone before getting the Vivitrol injection.
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Drinking alcohol on Vivitrol is not suggested, but some continue to drink while on this medication. Vivitrol is used for the treatment of alcohol or opioid addiction alongside social therapy and psychotherapy. It is administered by intramuscular injection by a health professional once every four weeks. People taking Vivitrol need to have completely stopped drinking and not taken opioids seven to fourteen days prior. Whenever you need medical treatment, be sure to tell the treating healthcare provider that you are receiving Vivitrol injections and mention when you got your last dose.
If you are on Vivitrol and are struggling with the temptation to drink, our Atlanta Alcohol rehab can help you develop new skills and coping mechanisms to stay sober for the long term. It is also important to note that drinking while on Vivitrol can increase the risk of developing other health problems. For example, individuals who drink heavily while on the medication may be at increased risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health problems.
When someone drinks alcohol while taking Vivitrol, they open themselves up to experiencing a spectrum of physical and mental health symptoms that range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. In most cases, it is not Vivitrol itself that causes these symptoms but the combination of alcohol and Vivitrol. If opioids are the drug of choice, alcohol use can diminish the efficacy of Vivitrol. This increases cravings for opioids and reduces the protections against overdose that Vivitrol provides. Vivitrol can help reduce the urge to drink but should be used as part of a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program that includes counseling.
Vivitrol minimizes cravings, helping people uphold sobriety throughout its early stages. It works by stopping endorphins from binding to opioid receptors when alcohol is consumed, as well as by directly hindering opioids from binding to such receptors. Vivitrol is prescribed only in specific instances of alcohol and/or opioid addiction. It is necessary for a patient in treatment to detox from alcohol and opioids and maintain abstinence for at least 7-10 days before beginning a treatment plan involving Vivitrol (naltrexone). If used adversely to this strict prerequisite, naltrexone can cause serious side effects.

















