Vivitrol treatment is an evidence‑based option for people who are ready to change their relationship with alcohol. This long‑acting medicine can help you focus on therapy, routines, and goals without constant cravings getting in the way. At Sophros Recovery Tampa, we offer Vivitrol (extended-release naltrexone) in an outpatient setting as part of a personalized treatment plan.
If you want to talk through whether Vivitrol fits your needs, call 813.798.4434, or learn more about your options on our medication-assisted treatment page.
What is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is a brand name for a form of naltrexone. It is FDA-approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence and the prevention of relapse in opioid use disorder. It is an intramuscular injection given about every 4 weeks in a clinic. Naltrexone medication is nonaddictive, and it is most effective when combined with counseling and ongoing support.
Some patients try oral naltrexone first, then move to injectable naltrexone for convenience and steady blood levels. Your healthcare provider will help you decide which treatment option is best for your goals, schedule, and medical history.
How does Vivitrol work?
Put simply, naltrexone blocks certain opioid receptors in the brain. By blocking opioid receptors, Vivitrol reduces the rewarding effects many people feel when they drink alcohol. Many patients notice fewer cravings, less preoccupation with drinking, and more room in everyday life to practice new coping skills. In this way, Vivitrol works alongside therapy to reduce cravings and support behavior change.
Naltrexone also blocks endorphin signaling linked to alcohol use, making alcohol consumption less pleasurable, as well. Over time, patients who have stopped drinking often report more stable routines and improved sleep and mood when they continue their treatment plan.
Who is a good candidate, and who should avoid it?
Vivitrol may be a fit if you:
- Live with alcohol use disorder and want to treat alcohol dependence through decreasing the appeal of drinking
- Have stopped drinking and completed alcohol detox, so Vivitrol is maximally effective and you don’t experience nausea symptoms
- Prefer a once‑monthly dose in an outpatient setting versus having to take a pill each day
Vivitrol should be avoided if you:
- Are currently using opioids, since naltrexone can precipitate severe opioid withdrawal
- Have acute hepatitis, severe liver disease, or known allergy to naltrexone or its components
- Might not be able to access medical attention quickly if you develop severe reactions
Before the first injection, your doctor will confirm that you are opioid free. For alcohol use, your clinician will confirm you have stopped drinking and that any withdrawal symptoms have resolved.
Safety, side effects, and when to call a doctor
All medicines have possible side effects. With naltrexone injection, common side effects can include nausea, headache, fatigue, injection site discomfort, and vomiting. Other common side effects reported by patients are mild dizziness and sleep changes. Most pass quickly, but you should always tell your healthcare provider about side effects that are bothersome or do not improve.
Rare risks include liver damage, pneumonia, and severe reactions at the injection site. Call for immediate medical attention if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, which can include rash, swelling of the face, trouble breathing, chest pain, or severe stomach pain that lasts more than a few days. People with a history of liver disease should discuss risks and benefits with their doctor.
For more information, review the FDA prescribing information for Vivitrol and talk with your clinician.
What medications treat alcohol use besides the naltrexone injection?
Several medications are prescribed for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, options include disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Oral naltrexone was approved in 1994 and injectable naltrexone in 2006. Each alcohol use disorder medication works differently:
- Injectable naltrexone: a monthly intramuscular injection given by a healthcare provider. It can reduce cravings and deter alcohol use, and it removes the need to remember a daily pill.
- Oral naltrexone: a once‑daily pill that can also reduce cravings.
- Disulfiram: taken daily. It makes people feel sick if they drink alcohol, so it is useful for those who want a strong deterrent. If you are taking disulfiram, talk with your doctor before any switch, and never mix medications unless prescribed.
- Acamprosate: Typically taken three times per day, acamprosate helps restore the balance of neurotransmitters disrupted by long-term alcohol use. It can reduce cravings and support ongoing abstinence after detox.
These medicines work best when combined with therapy, mutual‑support options, and a personalized treatment plan.
Process for receiving extended-release naltrexone treatment
The process for taking Vivitrol:
- Evaluation: Your clinician will review your medical history, including any substance use, liver tests, and recent drinking.
- Confirm readiness: You must have stopped drinking and be opioid free before the first injection. This reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms or complications.
- Dose and visit: A standard dose is administered as an intramuscular injection in the gluteal muscle. Mild pain or tenderness at the injection site is common.
- Follow up: Schedule monthly visits, therapy sessions, and check‑ins about cravings, mood, and progress.
Important: If you ever need to take opioid analgesics for surgery or an injury, tell every provider that you receive naltrexone. In emergencies, higher opioid doses may be required to overcome receptor blockade, which increases overdose risk and requires close monitoring in a medical setting.
How Sophros Recovery Tampa supports your goals
At Sophros Recovery, we tailor care to your life so you can engage in treatment without putting everything on hold. In our comprehensive outpatient treatment, patients meet with a doctor or nurse practitioner, attend therapy, and receive support for managing sleep, stress, and triggers while recovering from alcohol addiction. Our medication-assisted treatment program in Tampa pairs options like Vivitrol with professional counseling, group therapy sessions, integrated mental health care, and other key resources to treat the whole person.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Injectable naltrexone is approved for opioid use disorder after a person completes detox and is opioid free. It can help prevent return to opioid use, although misuse after stopping increases overdose risk. Never test opioid blockade on your own.
Naltrexone medication does not cause an alcohol‑disulfiram reaction. Some patients who drink alcohol while on Vivitrol describe a disappointing drinking experience and fewer cravings to continue drinking. The goal is to support the treatment of alcohol use disorder while you build skills that help you stay on track.
Tell your providers you receive naltrexone injection. Some pain medicines are opioid analgesics and will not work well until the blockade wears off. Nonopioid options may be used. If opioids are medically necessary, this must be managed by a doctor in a monitored setting.
Common side effects include nausea, headache, tiredness, and injection site pain. Rare but serious problems include severe reactions at the injection site, liver damage, and allergic reaction. Seek care for trouble breathing, chest pain, or stomach pain that lasts more than a few days.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers clinician and patient resources on the treatment of alcohol use disorder. See the SAMHSA guidance on naltrexone.
Find compassionate, evidence-based addiction care in Tampa
Sophros Recovery Tampa provides people in Central West Florida with compassionate care for substance use disorders in a respectful outpatient setting. Whether you are managing opioid addiction, alcohol dependence, or another substance use challenge, we are ready to collaborate on a personalized treatment plan that supports your goals.
