vivitrol (naltrexone injection) for opiate dependency

[chillinwill]

swim has been dependent on dope for quite some time and after swim detoxed on suboxone, swim doctor recommended the vivitrol shot which is an extended release once a month naltrexone shot designed for alcoholics. swim's doctor says that this works wonder with opiate dependency and swim is wondering if anyone has heard about this shot being used to treat opiate addiction?

[y0ssarianlives]

Basically naltrexone is an opioid antagonist; meaning it will counteract and block the effects of opioids. It will not help with the cravings though, and SWIM would like to ask SWIY why he decided to detox of suboxone? Was it his decision or made for him by someone else?

[chillinwill]

Originally Posted by y0ssarianlives

Basically naltrexone is an opioid antagonist; meaning it will counteract and block the effects of opioids. It will not help with the cravings though, and SWIM would like to ask SWIY why he decided to detox of suboxone? Was it his decision or made for him by someone else?

because swim quickly found out that he could get high by just slightly increasing his opiate habit and avoid all withdrawals by using the suboxone in the right way....at the time swim did not want to stop using dope and he was living with his parents so swim kept getting high and eventually swim's doctor recommended this shot to him since obviously the suboxone wasn't preventing swim from getting high after 5 months of being on suboxone.....swim had been using off and on that whole 5 months though

[y0ssarianlives]

How did this course of treatment work out for SWIM so far?

y0ssarianlives added 43 Minutes and 3 Seconds later...

I am very much against this course of treatment as it offers little in the way of counciller support, community support, clinic support, and does not alleviate the cravings. Look for other options; I am a huge supporter of methadone clinic and suboxone.

[moda00]

Originally Posted by y0ssarianlives

How did this course of treatment work out for SWIM so far?

y0ssarianlives added 43 Minutes and 3 Seconds later...

I am very much against this course of treatment as it offers little in the way of counciller support, community support, clinic support, and does not alleviate the cravings. Look for other options; I am a huge supporter of methadone clinic and suboxone.

Thanks for sharing swiy's opinion. OP did state he wanted to come off suboxone though right? So what are peoples' experiences with this as a transition between a maintenance medication and no medication? y0ssarian, do you think the problems are inherent with this drug itself, or as you imply, that the problem is more procedural- and how could it be improved? Personally I think any addiction treatment, medications included, should have some sort of additional support component, whether that is occasional aftercare sessions, group meetings, counseling, etc., that it should at least be available, and that type/frequency can be based on individual need/preference and length in treatment. That said, I also believe that too strict regulation and dependence on these components can deter addicts from being able to get accepted or continue treatment, and can detract from the effectiveness of the chemical itself For example, the methadone program- certain things, like assigning "counseling" as a requirement but hiring counselors with no training and then having them meet with you for 10 minutes each month seem quite pointless. Furthermore, each patient is different, so if the structure is set up as a "one size fits all" addiction model as many are, it will not be ideal- for example, the legal requirements for methadone require many decisions to go through federal agencies who have never met a patient or participated in their care and are simply based on formulas or standards that may not take other factors into consideration. I do not think any medication for addiction treatment should be expected to act alone, so support the idea that there may need to be some other component to this treatment of naltrexone injection, but would also hate to see any benefits of the drug stifled by policy and procedure. Anyone know how uit is currently approached and whether this Vivitrol method is common? I have only heard of it being done orally thus far until just recently..

[chillinwill]

well swim was receiving counseling and was attending NA meetings occasionally....swim has been on vivitrol for 13 months now and have only used a couple of times during that time period....the longest clean time swim had was 6 months but its the damn people, places, and things that keep tripping swim up.....does anyone else have any experience being on vivitrol? swim has never had the oral naltrexone but wonders how that would compare to the vivitrol

[kaloochi]

SWim did a 'rapid detox' many years ago which consisted of being injected with all manner and combinations of sedatives, benzos etc until you was sedated. Unfortunately for swim they couldn't knock him out and he ended up very out of it on the downers but very awake and w/ding.

It was about a 5 day detox from what he remembers and after that you was out on your own with oral naltrexone as the aftercare, and thankyou very much for the 3 grand. The doctor was a charlatan, out to make a fast buck. Swim remembers 2 stupid things the so called doctor said to him. He told him this method worked by putting you to sleep through the worst of your withdrawals so the opiates are OUT OF YOU when you come round. Sounds good but swims w/d because their bodies aren't making their own opiates. The aftermath of this was a nightmare as you're not eating through your sedation and very weak., not to mention withdrawing still. Also 5 DAYS is ridiculous. SWIM returned to his stamping ground and got a bit of gear DAY 1. Swim didn't like the naltrexone atall.

The second stupid thing was when the suave doctor, trying but failing to look genuine and concerned asked swim, with interest, what he did when he didn't have any gear. I SCORE.

kaloochi added 16 Minutes and 8 Seconds later...

Just a quick note to say don't trust peeople because they are 'so called' proffessionals. In swims experience about half of them haven't the first clue what they are doing. Cynical? me?

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[psilocybley]

Originally Posted by y0ssarianlives

I am very much against this course of treatment as it offers little in the way of counciller support, community support, clinic support, and does not alleviate the cravings. Look for other options; I am a huge supporter of methadone clinic and suboxone.

I am not quite so much against this treatment. You are right in that it wouldn't alleviate the cravings, nor does it offer any therapeutic benefits outside of its pharmacological properties. From what I've read it is also very expensive, although a month's worth of dope money would SURELY cause this treatment to be worth the money.

This is for the addict who wants to reach out to his/her family members and rebuild the bonds that drug addiction has dissolved. After getting the injection, one simply can't get drunk or high on opiates. This means the family can be completely sure that their loved one isn't hiding a habit anymore.

The term for someone who is sober only because of drug treatment and/or the threat of drug testing is a "Dry Drunk." Vivitrol is not the cure for drug addiction, but it is DEFINITELY a valuable tool in working through addiction.