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Vivitrol Treatment

Medication can provide valuable support for some people recovering from alcohol or opioid addiction. Continuum Recovery Center of Colorado now offers Vivitrol through its Medication-Assisted Treatment program in Denver. When clinically appropriate, this once-monthly medication may help clients build stability while they continue counseling, therapy, and other recovery services.

What Is Vivitrol?

Vivitrol is the brand name for extended-release naltrexone. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, meaning it attaches to opioid receptors and blocks them rather than activating them. It does not contain an opioid, produce a high, or have known addictive potential.

Vivitrol is administered by a healthcare professional as a deep intramuscular injection, generally every four weeks or once a month. It is approved for treating alcohol dependence in adults who have stopped drinking and for helping prevent relapse to opioid dependence after detoxification.

How Does Vivitrol Work?

Vivitrol blocks opioid receptors associated with the rewarding effects of opioids. If opioids are used while the medication is active, their euphoric effects may be prevented or reduced. This can help some people remain focused on recovery while developing healthier coping skills.

For alcohol use disorder, naltrexone may reduce the rewarding effects associated with drinking and help some people experience fewer cravings. The precise biological process through which naltrexone reduces alcohol consumption is not completely understood, but research suggests that the brain’s natural opioid system is involved.

Vivitrol for Alcohol Use Disorder

For adults recovering from alcohol use disorder, Vivitrol is an evidence-based treatment that has been shown in clinical studies to reduce heavy drinking when combined with counseling and psychosocial support. As an extended-release form of naltrexone, it blocks opioid receptors involved in alcohol’s rewarding effects, helping make drinking less reinforcing for some people. This can create more space for clients to focus on therapy, rebuild routines, and practice relapse-prevention skills. Individual outcomes vary, and Vivitrol should be included only when it is appropriate for the person’s health, needs, and recovery goals.

Vivitrol for Opioid Use Disorder

Vivitrol may help prevent relapse following opioid detoxification by blocking the effects of opioids. A person must be opioid-free before starting treatment. The FDA recommends an opioid-free period of at least seven to ten days for many patients, although the appropriate interval may vary.

Receiving Vivitrol too soon can trigger sudden and potentially severe withdrawal. For this reason, medical screening and honest communication about recent opioid use are essential.

Benefits of Vivitrol

One practical benefit of Vivitrol is its monthly dosing schedule. Some people find a scheduled injection easier to manage than taking medication every day. Regular appointments also provide opportunities to review progress and adjust the wider treatment plan.

Potential benefits may include:

  • No opioid ingredients or opioid-related high
  • No known addictive potential
  • Blocking the rewarding effects of opioids
  • Reduced alcohol cravings for some people
  • Support for medication consistency
  • Compatibility with outpatient therapy

These benefits vary from person to person. Vivitrol may be a valuable option for some clients, while another medication or treatment approach may be better for others. The medication is not guaranteed to work for everyone.

Who May Be a Good Candidate?

Vivitrol may be considered for adults with alcohol use disorder who have stopped drinking or adults with opioid use disorder who have completed detoxification and can remain opioid-free before their first injection.

It may appeal to people who prefer a non-opioid medication or have difficulty taking daily medication consistently. However, it is not suitable for everyone. People who are currently using opioids, experiencing opioid withdrawal, physically dependent on opioids, or allergic to naltrexone should not receive it.

Other health conditions and medication needs may also affect eligibility, so an individual medical assessment is required. Clients should provide their treatment team with complete information about their health, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, substance use, and recent withdrawal symptoms.

How Vivitrol Fits Into a MAT Program

Medication-Assisted Treatment combines medication with counseling, behavioral therapy, education, and recovery support. Vivitrol is not the entire treatment. It is one clinical tool that may help a person maintain stability while addressing the habits, triggers, relationships, and mental health concerns connected to substance use.

Vivitrol is intended to be used as part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes psychosocial support. Counseling and other recovery services remain important even when the medication is helping reduce cravings or block the effects of opioids. 

At the Continuum Recovery Center of Colorado, treatment is tailored to the individual rather than built around one medication or rigid pathway. Vivitrol may be integrated with Partial Hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient, or other outpatient services when it matches the client’s needs and clinical recommendations. Continuum’s existing programs combine medical care, clinical support, therapy, education, and holistic services within a flexible outpatient setting.

What to Expect During Treatment

Before the first injection, a provider will assess whether Vivitrol can be used safely. This may include reviewing recent alcohol or opioid use, medical and mental health history, current medications, and recovery goals. Testing may be used to confirm that opioids are no longer present before treatment for opioid use disorder begins.

Vivitrol is injected into the buttock by a healthcare professional, with follow-up doses generally scheduled every four weeks. Possible side effects include injection-site discomfort, nausea, headache, dizziness, tiredness, sleep changes, or decreased appetite. Persistent or concerning effects should be discussed with the provider. 

People receiving Vivitrol for opioid use disorder should know that opioid tolerance may be lower after treatment, near the end of a dosing interval, after a missed dose, or after stopping medication. Trying to overcome the opioid blockade can cause serious injury or fatal overdose.

Treatment should therefore include overdose education and a discussion about access to naloxone. Clients should also tell medical professionals that they are receiving Vivitrol, particularly when seeking emergency care, surgery, or pain treatment.

Why Counseling and Therapy Matter

Medication can support recovery, but it cannot resolve every factor contributing to addiction. Counseling and therapy help clients identify triggers, understand substance-use patterns, strengthen coping skills, repair relationships, and build sustainable routines.

Combining Vivitrol with psychosocial support offers a more comprehensive foundation for recovery. Medication may reduce certain barriers, while therapy helps clients manage stress, cravings, setbacks, and long-term change.

This combined approach also allows clients to address co-occurring mental health concerns, improve communication, develop accountability, and create a practical relapse-prevention plan. Recovery involves more than stopping substance use—it also involves building a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Why Choose the Continuum Recovery Center of Colorado?

Continuum Recovery Center of Colorado provides individualized, flexible outpatient addiction treatment in Denver. Its collaborative approach combines medical and clinical support, education, counseling, and wellness-focused services while helping clients stay connected to work, family, and everyday responsibilities. 

Vivitrol is offered as one option within Continuum’s MAT program, not as a universal solution. The treatment team considers each client’s health, substance use history, preferences, goals, and stage of recovery before recommending care. Individual therapy, group therapy, holistic support, and an appropriate outpatient level of care may also be included.

To learn whether Vivitrol may be appropriate for you or someone you care about, contact Continuum Recovery Center of Colorado. A confidential conversation can help you understand your options and take the next step toward recovery.

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