Posted on August 2, 2016

The crusade to stop the opioid epidemic is fairly recent. New medications are being developed, researched, and tested all the time. One drug, Vivitrol, is experiencing a revival after being discontinued ten years ago.

The intention for Vivitrol, like many drugs known to help opiate withdrawal, was to cure alcoholism. Shortly after 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved it for treating opioid addiction, a problem which didn’t intensify until shortly after Vivitrol was discontinued. Years later, heroin and prescription pills became a leading cause of death in several states, and President Obama began pushing to give Americans better access to medicines through expanded coverage.

Vivitrol Returns

Along with several other medications, Vivitrol was re-introduced and reexamined. Today, researchers are more optimistic than ever about its treatment potential. Vivitrol contains naltrexone: a chemical which binds to the same brain receptors as opioids, effectively blocking the high associated with opioid drugs. Even if you relapse, you won’t get high, and your progress won’t be stunted.

The opportunity for a second chance is tremendously valuable – and expensive, of course. Receiving one shot of Vivitrol per month costs $1300.

Currently, Vivitrol is only being used by about 16,000 patients. Researchers compared it with medications such as methadone and suboxone, which are much more addiction-prone. Vivitrol is virtually unknown, possibly because of its high cost. In recovery, the opportunity for a second chance is tremendously valuable – and expensive, of course: $1300 for just one shot per month. It’s worth noting that, according to the companies which produce Vivitrol, it’s ultimately more cost-effective than being treated in a hospital or prison setting. It’s up to addicts and their families to decide this for themselves.

Currently, Vivitrol is being pushed by governors, police chiefs, and judges in 30 states, with several more expected to follow. There are at least a hundred programs offering Vivitrol treatment and counseling services throughout the US. With lots of help from the attention and funding coming from the federal government, analysts anticipate that sales will rise by 31 percent by the end of 2016.

For questions about medically assisted drug detox and addiction recovery programs, contact Hired Power today at 800-910-9299.