One monthly shot that blocks alcohol and opioid cravings
Vivitrol is a long-acting form of naltrexone given as a once-monthly injection. It supports recovery from both Alcohol Use Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder. At PMR we use it inside a full plan that includes detox, counseling, and ongoing recovery support. Medication is always paired with therapy and recovery planning, not used on its own.
More on medication-assisted treatment
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Physician-prescribed medication as one part of a broader clinical program, never a stand-alone fix.
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Medication to Stop Drinking
There are FDA-approved medications that genuinely reduce alcohol cravings. Here is how naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram work.
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Medication for Opioid Cravings
Opioid cravings are physical, not a lack of willpower. Here is how medication can quiet them long enough for real recovery to begin.
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Medication-Assisted Detox
Residential Detox and Withdrawal Management in San Marcos, plus separate outpatient withdrawal management in Carlsbad.
Learn moreWhat Vivitrol is
Vivitrol is an extended-release injection of naltrexone. Unlike Suboxone or buprenorphine, it is not an opioid. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. Because of that, it can reduce alcohol cravings, block the effects of opioids, and help prevent relapse. The injection lasts about four weeks, which means steady coverage without a daily pill to remember.
How Vivitrol helps with alcohol
Alcohol normally lights up the brain's reward system, which reinforces drinking. Vivitrol blocks that response. When alcohol no longer produces its usual pleasant effect, cravings often become more manageable, which gives someone the stability to engage in therapy and recovery planning.
How Vivitrol helps with opioids
Because Vivitrol blocks opioid receptors, opioids cannot produce their expected effect while it is active. If someone uses opioids on Vivitrol, the high does not come. That protection can lower relapse risk as a person moves forward in recovery.
Detox is required before starting Vivitrol
Vivitrol blocks opioid receptors, so it can trigger sudden withdrawal if opioids are still in the system. Someone needs to complete detox from opioids or alcohol first. Our detox services help people stabilize before transitioning to Vivitrol.
Who Vivitrol may help
- People who have completed detox
- People who want help reducing alcohol cravings
- People recovering from opioid addiction
- People who have relapsed repeatedly
- People who prefer a monthly injection over a daily medication
Vivitrol is not addictive
One real advantage of Vivitrol is that it does not create physical dependence or addiction. Because it blocks opioid receptors instead of activating them, it does not cause intoxication or a high. For a lot of people, that is reassuring: it supports recovery without substituting one substance for another.
Curious whether Vivitrol could help?
Our phone line is answered seven days a week, from 8:00 AM–9:00 PM PT. Outside those hours, leave a message or send a text and we will respond as soon as possible. If you need to speak with someone now, call or text (619) 363-4767. We can talk through whether Vivitrol fits, and what detox would look like first.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vivitrol addictive?
No. Vivitrol is not addictive and does not create physical dependence. It blocks the effects of opioids and alcohol rather than activating opioid receptors, so it does not produce intoxication or a high.
Why do I have to detox before starting Vivitrol?
Because Vivitrol blocks opioid receptors, it can cause sudden, intense withdrawal if opioids are still in the body. Completing detox first keeps that from happening. For alcohol, detox helps stabilize the body before starting the medication.
How often is Vivitrol given?
Vivitrol is an injection given about once every four weeks. The monthly schedule means continuous coverage without having to remember a daily pill, which many people find easier to stick with in early recovery.
How does Vivitrol help with alcohol and opioids?
Vivitrol is an extended-release form of naltrexone that blocks opioid receptors in the brain. For alcohol, it blocks the reward response so drinking no longer produces its usual pleasant effect, which often makes cravings more manageable. For opioids, it blocks their effect entirely, so if someone uses while it is active the high does not come, which can lower relapse risk.
Who might be a good fit for Vivitrol?
Vivitrol may help people who have completed detox, people who want help reducing alcohol cravings, people recovering from opioid addiction, people who have relapsed repeatedly, and people who prefer a monthly injection over a daily medication. Because it is not an opioid, it does not create dependence or produce a high. At PMR it is always used inside a full plan that includes counseling and recovery support.
