Drinking Alcohol on Vivitrol: What will Happen?

However, they may be eligible for Vivitrol treatment after an opioid-free period of 7-14 days before Vivitrol treatment and remain opioid-free after treatment. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. Vivitrol is an injectable form of extended-release naltrexone prescribed for MAT (medication-assisted treatment).

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As a result, Antabuse is only prescribed to people who have completed their detox. However, this is not the case with Acamprosate and naltrexone can you drink while on vivitrol for alcohol use disorder. These medications aren’t intended to make a person stop drinking by causing negative side effects.

Vivitrol is most effective in individuals who are strongly motivated to stop drinking. A person is only considered eligible for a Vivitrol shot if they meet all of the criteria and conditions. Acamprosate and naltrexone are two different medications that are used in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. They work in different ways to help people who are dependent on alcohol to abstain from drinking it.

• Be sure to tell your medical provider if you drink alcohol so that he or she can prevent dangerous interactions and blackouts before prescribing the proper medication for you.
• Vivitrol blocks opioid receptors and negates the reward-based feelings of drinking alcohol.
• Naltrexone works in the brain as an opiate antagonist, which means it decreases the effectiveness of opiate and minimizes the user’s desire to take opiates.
• They work in different ways to help people who are dependent on alcohol to abstain from drinking it.
• If you are taking Vivitrol, it is important not to take any opiates, including methadone, or use any alcohol.

Risk of Harm Caused by Alcohol

• Vivitrol is a non-addictive and non-narcotic prescription medication with a low risk of misuse and dependence.
• Campral is used to help people with alcohol dependence quit drinking alcohol.
• Though far less normalized and embedded in culture, opioid addiction is just as prevalent across the US.
• We have the means and motivation to help you achieve and maintain sobriety.
• If you are currently taking Vivitrol and think you may be addicted, or cannot stop alcohol use during your medication, don’t delay.

Your treatment team will help you determine if this is the right form of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for you. According to the FDA and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), there aren’t any significant dangers or interactions with drinking alcohol while taking Vivitrol. However, if you’re using Vivitrol to treat AUD, you shouldn’t drink alcohol.

Drinking and Taking Vivitrol at the Same Time

But, impairment (like slowed thinking and poor coordination) and hangover symptoms (like nausea and headaches) still occur. There are specialized drug tests that can detect Vivitrol, though these aren’t commonly used since Vivitrol is not a narcotic. The majority of injection site reactions are moderate and resolve on their own. However, certain negative reactions, such as tissue death, may necessitate surgery. Learn about topiramate, an anticonvulsant used for seizures, migraine prevention, and weight loss …

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Feelings of nausea, cold symptoms, vomiting, decreased appetite, muscle cramps, sleep issues, and painful joints may also occur. When someone drinks alcohol while taking Vivitrol, they open themselves up to experiencing a spectrum of physical and mental health symptoms that range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. In most cases, it is not Vivitrol itself that causes these symptoms but the combination of alcohol and Vivitrol. It is quite uncommon to drink alcohol while on Vivitrol, as most people who receive this medication are motivated to abstain from alcohol and other substances. Naltrexone can lower your risk of liver damage, infections, overdose, and death from alcohol or opioid use.

It works by stopping endorphins from binding to opioid receptors when alcohol is consumed, as well as by directly hindering opioids from binding to such receptors. Vivitrol is prescribed only in specific instances of alcohol and/or opioid addiction. It is necessary for a patient in treatment to detox from alcohol and opioids and maintain abstinence for at least 7-10 days before beginning a treatment plan involving Vivitrol (naltrexone). If used adversely to this strict prerequisite, naltrexone can cause serious side effects.

Related medical questions

Additionally, the person should reach out to their addiction treatment support professionals to address the situation as a relapse and determine how to get back on track in recovery. Vivitrol helps to prevent overdose if the person takes opioids while the medication is in the system. It also prevents the person from feeling the full euphoric effects of opioids or alcohol. Vivitrol is used to reduce cravings in alcohol and drug dependence, as it blocks the feeling of pleasure that you get when you use drugs or drink alcohol. Even though Vivitrol’s abuse potential is low and not known to be addictive, do not use Vivitrol unless prescribed by a doctor.

Alcoholism or Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is currently the third leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 14.5 million Americans aged 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder, including nine million men and 5.5 million women. Vivitrol-induced depression can sometimes become severe, leading to suicidal behavior and thoughts.

People taking Vivitrol will see symptoms that are similar to those of alcohol use, such as poor coordination and decreased response time. Additionally, they may experience a decrease in the urge to drink, reducing their alcohol intake. If the reaction is serious, emergency medical help should be sought immediately.

Vivitrol (naltrexone) attaches to opioid receptors more vigorously than any opioid, causing opioids and opiates to be removed from their receptors, and allowing Vivitrol to bind. The abrupt removal of opioids from receptors can cause rapid and acute opioid withdrawal, known as precipitated withdrawal. Abusing opioids while receiving Vivitrol injections might lead to an overdose, since a person may take excessive amounts to experience the high. Furthermore, if a person skips or discontinues Vivitrol injections and begins misusing opioids, they also risk overdosing. Vivitrol inhibits the intoxication and euphoria or ‘high’ caused by alcohol and opioids, making it harder to get high on opioids and opiates while taking them.

While you are no longer taking opiates, other mind-altering substances, like alcohol, can affect this drug’s chemical reaction in your body. Be sure to tell your medical provider if you drink alcohol so that he or she can prevent dangerous interactions and blackouts before prescribing the proper medication for you. Another potential risk of drinking while on Vivitrol is that it can increase the risk of liver damage. Alcohol is processed by the liver, and excessive drinking can cause damage to this vital organ.

If opioids are the drug of choice, alcohol use can diminish the efficacy of Vivitrol. This increases cravings for opioids and reduces the protections against overdose that Vivitrol provides. The medication is designed to be a part of an overall treatment plan and not the sole means of support during recovery. Take the time to consider the pros and cons of Vivitrol before starting the medication and fully understand how it impacts the body during recovery before starting on a monthly regimen.

Vivitrol is part of comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment and drug recovery programs. Anyone currently using opioids, including methadone, should not take it. Vivitrol minimizes cravings, helping people uphold sobriety throughout its early stages.