Recovery from alcohol or opioid addiction is rarely straightforward. Cravings, triggers, and the risk of relapse can make even the strongest resolve feel fragile. That’s where medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can help. At Sophros Recovery in Tampa, Vivitrol is one of the options we may consider when it fits someone’s addiction recovery needs.
Vivitrol (extended-release naltrexone) isn’t a “magic cure” for alcohol dependence or opioid addiction. It’s a carefully selected tool in our toolbox: one we pair with therapy, behavioral support, and wraparound care. In this post, we’ll walk you through what Vivitrol is, how it works, when it’s appropriate, what to expect, and how it can be part of an integrated addiction recovery plan.
What is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is a brand name for an extended-release injection of naltrexone, given once a month. It’s approved to support treatment of both alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder (after detox). Once-monthly Vivitrol injections mean you don’t have to remember a daily dose of oral naltrexone, which can be a big advantage in ensuring consistency.
At Sophros Recovery, when Vivitrol is used, it’s part of our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plan. That means the shot is coupled with counseling, group support, behavioral therapy, and close monitoring to give you the best chance of lasting recovery.
How Vivitrol works in the brain
To understand Vivitrol’s power (and its limits), it helps to know how it behaves in the brain.
- Blocking opioid receptors: Vivitrol acts as an opioid antagonist. This means it binds to the same receptors in the brain that opioid drugs would use, but it does not activate them. Instead, it blocks them so if someone uses opioids, they don’t feel the usual high.
- Dampening rewards from alcohol: For alcohol use disorder, the effect is less direct. Vivitrol lowers the reinforcing reward signals that drinking normally triggers, making alcohol less compelling and reducing cravings.
- Reducing relapse risk and cravings: Because the brain no longer feels the strong reward from use, Vivitrol helps remove part of the incentive to relapse. Over time, it supports more stable brain circuits and lessens the pull toward use.
- Extended-release formulation: The Vivitrol injection is formulated to release naltrexone slowly over weeks. This steady release helps maintain a blockade of opioid receptors throughout the month.
Essentially, Vivitrol “locks the doors” on part of the brain’s reward pathway so that using alcohol or opioids becomes less compelling, providing breathing room for recovery to take shape.
What Vivitrol can (and can’t) help treat
Vivitrol is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. For alcohol addiction, Vivitrol helps maintain abstinence and reduce heavy drinking. For opioid dependence, it is used after detoxification to help prevent relapse.
How it supports dual diagnosis clients
Many people in addiction recovery also face symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma. While Vivitrol doesn’t treat those conditions directly, reducing cravings and relapse risk can free mental and emotional energy so you can engage more fully in therapy, self-work, and personal growth.
Limits and situations where Vivitrol may not be ideal
- Recent opioid use / dependence: If there are opioids in your system, starting Vivitrol too early can trigger severe opioid withdrawal. That’s why detox and confirmed abstinence are essential.
- Liver health concerns: Because naltrexone is processed in the liver, significant liver disease demands careful evaluation.
- Not a therapy substitute: Vivitrol works best when paired with counseling, behavioral therapy, and other supports. It doesn’t heal the psychological, social, or trauma roots of addiction.
- Allergies / sensitivity: Occasionally patients are allergic to naltrexone or components in the injection.
Who is eligible and who should avoid Vivitrol
We don’t offer Vivitrol to everyone automatically. Safety, medical readiness, and personal factors all play a role. We’ll consider:
- Abstinence / detox history: You must be opioid-free (no physical dependence) for a time before starting.
- Liver function & lab tests: We evaluate liver enzymes and other labs to ensure your body can safely process naltrexone.
- Medical history: A history of severe liver disease or certain other medical conditions could rule it out.
- Other drugs and interactions: We review all medications and supplements to prevent harmful interactions.
- Motivation & support structure: Because Vivitrol is just one piece of recovery, your willingness to engage with counseling and support systems matters.
If you meet these criteria, we can consider Vivitrol as part of your recovery plan, but it’s never imposed. It’s always a shared decision between you and your care team.
Vivitrol benefits and advantages
When used thoughtfully and under the right conditions, Vivitrol offers several advantages:
- Reduced cravings and lower relapse risk: By blocking the reward signals from opioids or alcohol, it weakens the incentive to use.
- Monthly dosing: You don’t need to worry about remembering a pill every day.
- Non-addictive / non-opioid: Vivitrol itself doesn’t cause dependence; it doesn’t get you high.
- Supports deeper recovery work: When cravings are less intense, you can better focus on counseling, growth, and establishing healthy habits.
- Consistency and stability: The sustained Vivitrol mechanism provides a steady layer of protection across weeks.
Vivitrol isn’t a silver bullet, but in the right context, it can be a powerful ally.
Vivitrol risks and side effects
As with any treatment, knowing the risks helps you stay safe and informed. Possible side effects include:
- Nausea, vomiting
- Headache, dizziness, fatigue
- Injection-site reactions, swelling, reaction
- Muscle or joint aches
- Appetite loss, sleep changes
- Irritability, restlessness, anxiety
More serious risks and precautions
- Liver toxicity / hepatic effects: Because naltrexone is metabolized in the liver, those with compromised liver function or heavy use require caution.
- Precipitated withdrawal: If opioids are still in your system when the shot is given, Vivitrol can trigger sudden opioid withdrawal. That’s why careful screening is critical.
- Injection site complications: Correct technique and placement in a deep muscle are essential to minimize issues.
- Overdose risk after discontinuation: Some assume they’re “protected” even after a shot wears off; that’s false. Once effects fade, risk returns, so care is needed during transitions.
If you experience any serious symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, jaundice, difficulty breathing, alarming mood changes, or worsening injection-site issues, seek medical attention immediately.
What to expect when starting treatment
Beginning Vivitrol is not a one-time event. It’s a process with ongoing steps.
1. Preparation and detox
You must be fully abstinent, especially from opioids. For alcohol, your provider may require a period of sobriety or medical detox support.
2. Initial injection and baseline checks
You will complete lab work, a physical exam, medication review, and health screening. The first shot is administered in the gluteal muscle, using careful technique for safety.
3. Monthly maintenance doses
You’ll return monthly for shots. Because the formulation releases naltrexone slowly, keeping consistent is key.
4. Monitoring and follow-up
You’ll have regular blood tests (liver, kidney, metabolic) and check-ins on cravings, mood, side effects, and overall well-being. Your care team will make adjustments to supports or even the addiction recovery plan itself as needed.
5. Managing missed doses or gaps
If you miss a shot, your team will assess risk and decide whether a “catch-up” injection or added support is needed during that gap.
6. Discontinuation and transitions
Stopping Vivitrol usually means not returning for further shots. But transitions need to be managed by a healthcare professional. Protection fades over time, so a good transition plan is essential to maintain safety and avoid relapse.
Common misconceptions and myths about Vivitrol
“You’ll feel numb or no emotion.” Many people still feel emotions. Vivitrol blocks rewards from alcohol and opioids, not all sensation.
“It’s just replacing one drug with another.” Vivitrol isn’t an opioid and doesn’t produce highs or dependence.
“If I relapse once, it fails forever.” A slip doesn’t void its usefulness. Often it’s an opportunity to reassess and reinforce supports.
“You’re stuck on it forever.” Some people use Vivitrol long term; others use it for a season. Your care team should reassess over time.
“Once the shot’s in, I’m fully protected.” Protection lasts while the drug is active; variability in metabolism, missed doses, or other factors can influence how long that lasts.
How we use Vivitrol at Sophros Recovery
At Sophros Recovery in Tampa, we approach Vivitrol thoughtfully and within an integrated framework. We use it only when medically appropriate, and it’s never isolated: Vivitrol is woven into a full care plan involving therapy, peer support, case management, and aftercare planning.
Our team monitors labs, side effects, and behavioral progress, and adjusts plans as needed. For clients with co-occurring symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma, we treat those alongside addiction. We view Vivitrol as a tool that helps create mental and emotional space for recovery work, not a crutch to rely on exclusively.
Questions to ask and tips for making it work
When discussing Vivitrol with your care team, consider bringing up:
- What’s the goal of using Vivitrol in my particular case?
- How long will I stay on it, and when will we re-evaluate?
- Which labs or health checks will you monitor regularly?
- What side effects are most likely, and which ones demand immediate attention?
- What happens if I miss a monthly shot?
- Are there medications or supplements I have to avoid while on it?
- How will Vivitrol be combined with therapy and other supports?
- When should we consider changing strategy if it doesn’t seem to work?
To make Vivitrol more effective:
- Be transparent with your care team about side effects, slip urges, or any changes.
- Stay consistent with therapy and courses of support; the shot doesn’t do the whole job.
- Build strong connections: peer groups, recovery communities, mental health supports.
- Track your mood, triggers, and cravings. Keeping a journal helps you and your team spot patterns.
- Don’t “test” the opioid blocking effects. Using opioids while blocked or near the end of its effect window carries real danger.
Once-monthly Vivitrol for opioid or alcohol addiction
Vivitrol is a powerful option in the recovery toolbox when paired with therapy, behavioral change, and community supports. It doesn’t erase the need for growth work, but in many cases it gives you a safer, steadier base from which to engage fully in recovery.
If you’re in the Tampa, FL, area and want to explore whether Vivitrol is right for you as part of an outpatient addiction treatment plan, Sophros Recovery is here for the assessment, education, and support. You don’t have to walk this path alone.
