The United States is facing several different problems that have consumed the attention of all citizens. From global warming to race wars, there seems to have never been as many issues at hand than what we are seeing now. One of the biggest concerns that the American people have is the opioid crisis.
In the 1990s, major pharmaceutical companies who manufactured prescription painkillers inundated healthcare providers with information regarding these pain medications. The message that these companies worked to drive home most was that prescription painkillers like OxyContin were not habit-forming and that providers could prescribe them loosely to their clients. Unfortunately, none of that was true and by 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared an opioid epidemic in the United States.
Now, nearly 10 years out from 2011, we are seeing higher rates of opioid overdoses than ever before — many of which are occurring in states like Kentucky, where both prescription painkiller and heroin abuse are out of control. So out of control, in fact, that Kentucky has the third-highest drug overdose death rate in the country, many of which are caused by opioids.
While there is constant movement on the front lines of the opioid crisis, treatment centers throughout Kentucky are working towards providing the appropriate care for those ready to end their active opioid addiction. One example of this would be our medication-assisted treatment that uses Vivitrol treatment in Bowling Green that not only provides clients with therapeutic services but also with a medication that is highly regarded and trusted in helping make recovery a reality.
What is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is a medication that has been used in opioid addiction treatment centers since 2010. Known for its ability to help reduce cravings for continued opioid use, those who include Vivitrol into their overall treatment plan tend to experience a great deal of success as a result.
Vivitrol is simply the brand name for the injectable form of naltrexone, an opioid antagonist. This means that when Vivitrol is in the body, naltrexone binds to the opioid receptors in the brain and completely blocks them. By behaving in this manner, naltrexone is able to stop the opioid receptors from sending out any signals to the body to keep using opioids. So rather than a person continually receiving the message to use again in order to “feel good”, those messages are stopped, allowing the person to focus on things other than cravings. A good medication to compare naltrexone to is Narcan, which most people know as being capable of reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. This is because naloxone, the active ingredient in Narcan, is an opioid agonist like naltrexone is.
People who begin treatment for opioid addiction cannot just start taking Vivitrol right away like they could Suboxone or methadone. This is because taking Vivitrol immediately after opioid abuse ends can trigger the onset of withdrawal symptoms. So, it is recommended that clients detox first and then maintain at least 7-10 days of sobriety prior to getting their first Vivitrol injection.
Vivitrol is injected once per month, as it is an extended-release medication that remains effective for about 30 days at a time. Therefore, clients who take Vivitrol only have to get it administered by their healthcare provider once a month rather than having to either go to a facility to get their medication on a daily basis or have to manage their prescriptions on their own.
Likely one of the best qualities about Vivitrol is that unlike Suboxone or methadone, it does not have any habit-forming potential. As a result, there is no risk for abuse of this medication which could lead to further problems for the client. Vivitrol is a safe and effective medication that not only helps to curb cravings in those who are recovering from opioid abuse, but also for those who are recovering from alcohol use disorder.
Vivitrol Treatment in Bowling Green
Bowling Green is certainly no stranger to the opioid crisis, especially considering that it is occurring right in our very own communities. The Vivitrol treatment in Bowling Green that we provide is focused on properly administering this medication to those clients who can benefit from it as well as including it into a comprehensive treatment plan that offers therapeutic services.
Our Vivitrol treatment in Bowling Green always recommends that clients detox before beginning this course of medicine. And, once they do begin this medication, we typically recommend that clients stay on it for at least one year, unless their needs determine otherwise. While we place great focus on ensuring the correct administration of Vivitrol for our clients, we also spend just as much time providing therapeutic services that can help clients get to the bottom of why their opioid use disorder began in the first place. Through services like individual and group therapy, as well as behavioral therapy and experiential therapy, clients can clean out the mental and emotional baggage that they have been carrying so that managing their opioid use disorder can be much easier and feasible. Allowing the mental and emotional aspects of an opioid addiction go untreated will always keep a person using and/or struggling with their mental health unless they are properly treated.
Our Vivitrol treatment in Bowling Green is ready to work with you so that you can obtain all the tools that you need in order to get sober and sustain long-term recovery. We truly believe that with the inclusion of Vivitrol into your treatment plan, you will experience even more success than you could have imagined.
Get Vivitrol Treatment in Bowling Green by Calling Us Now
When opioid addiction continues without any professional intervention, it remains a deadly disease that can take one’s life at any given moment. Our Vivitrol treatment in Bowling Green is determined to provide the right kind of care that will remove the threat of death caused by opioid overdose or any other opioid-related accident so that you can begin building a happy, healthy life.
Do not waste one more second. Call us right now to get the help you deserve.
Michelle Rosenker is a content writer for JourneyPure where she gets to exercise her journalistic skills by working with different addiction treatment centers nationwide. She has 10 years of experience in the field of addiction treatment and mental health and has written content for some of the country’s most prominent treatment centers and behavioral hospitals. Through her writing, Michelle is proud to continually raise awareness about the disease of addiction and share hope for the future. She lives next to the ocean in Massachusetts with her husband, two young children, and faithful dog.
