If you or someone you love is navigating recovery from alcohol or opioid use disorder, you’ve likely heard of medication-assisted treatment. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a supportive, evidence-based treatment approach that combines safe, proven medications with counseling and therapy. As part of comprehensive treatment, it can help individuals manage cravings, reduce the risk of relapse, and feel more stable as they heal, providing a foundation to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
For many people, Vivitrol is an essential part of MAT as they navigate the stages of addiction recovery. Let’s explore what Vivitrol is and how it fits into a long-term treatment plan for alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder.
What is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is the brand name for extended-release naltrexone, a once-monthly injectable medication that’s approved by the FDA to help prevent relapse in individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). Unlike other medications used in treatment — like methadone or buprenorphine — Vivitrol is not an opioid and has no potential for misuse or physical dependence.
Vivitrol works by blocking the brain’s opioid receptors, reducing cravings, and lessening the pleasurable effects produced by alcohol or opioid use. In essence, it helps “turn down the volume” on the brain’s reward system in response to these substances.
Vivitrol is given as a once-monthly injection rather than a daily pill. In injection form, the medication is slowly released into the body over four weeks. This steady dose helps reduce cravings and supports relapse prevention without requiring daily reminders to take a pill. Because it must be administered by a medical professional, each injection visit also provides an opportunity for ongoing check-ins and encouragement throughout the recovery journey.
Vivitrol for alcohol use disorder
One of the most studied and effective uses of Vivitrol is for alcohol use disorder. When someone with AUD stops drinking, Vivitrol can help reduce the urge to drink and increase the likelihood of long-term sobriety.
- A pivotal double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that patients receiving Vivitrol had a 25% higher rate of abstinent days compared to those who received a placebo (Volpicelli et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry, Vol. 55).
- Another study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry showed that Vivitrol significantly increased time to first heavy drinking day and reduced the number of heavy drinking days by over 35% (Garbutt et al., J Clin Psychiatry, Vol. 66).
These outcomes highlight how Vivitrol can be a valuable tool for individuals in recovery from alcohol dependence, especially those who are motivated to remain sober but are struggling with persistent cravings.
Vivitrol for opioid use disorder
Vivitrol is also used to support recovery from opioid addiction. Unlike opioid replacement therapies, which activate opioid receptors at reduced strength, Vivitrol completely blocks these receptors. This can help deter relapse by making the use of opioids much less physically rewarding.
- In a landmark study published in The Lancet, individuals treated with Vivitrol after detoxification had a 43% lower relapse rate over a 24-week period compared to placebo (Krupitsky et al., Lancet, Vol. 377). This makes Vivitrol a strong contender for opioid relapse prevention in individuals who prefer or require a non-opioid-based treatment.
It’s important to note that starting Vivitrol for OUD requires complete detoxification — at least 7–14 days opioid-free — which can be a challenge for some individuals. For those who have gone through detox and stabilized, Vivitrol can be a powerful ally in relapse prevention.
Individuals still struggling with active opioid use must begin with complete detox as the first step to recovery.
Side effects of Vivitrol
As with any medication, there are potential side effects of Vivitrol. Most are mild to moderate and tend to improve with time. Common side effects include:
- Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety
More rarely, serious reactions like liver damage or allergic responses may occur. It’s important to monitor liver function and discuss your full medical history with a healthcare provider before beginning treatment.
An especially important safety note: Because Vivitrol blocks opioid receptors, individuals who relapse and attempt to use opioids after a period of abstinence may be at increased risk for overdose. This is due to reduced tolerance, not the medication itself. For this reason, education and supervision are essential parts of a safe Vivitrol treatment plan.
A compassionate path forward in recovery
The journey to recovery is deeply personal. Medications like Vivitrol can offer a sense of hope and structure for those who feel overwhelmed by cravings or the fear of relapse. With the support of trusted clinicians, loved ones, and a recovery community, Vivitrol can be an empowering part of an individual’s journey to healing, helping reclaim not just sobriety, but dignity, purpose, and connection.
Sources + Citations
- Volpicelli JR et al., “Naltrexone in the treatment of alcohol dependence,” Arch Gen Psychiatry, Vol. 55, 1998
- Garbutt JC et al., “Efficacy and tolerability of long-acting injectable naltrexone for alcohol dependence,” J Clin Psychiatry, Vol. 66, 2005
- Krupitsky E et al., “Injectable extended-release naltrexone for opioid relapse prevention,” Lancet, Vol. 377, 2011
STR Behavioral Health Silver Pines is a Joint Commission-accredited detox center and rehabilitation center specializing in drug and alcohol treatment. As part of our addiction treatment approach, we provide MAT, including Vivitrol, to help our clients navigate recovery.
No matter where you are in your recovery journey, we’re here to help you move forward.
