Vivitrol Treatment
Vivitrol is one of the medications used in medication-assisted treatment at Painted Grove Recovery in Louisville, Kentucky. It is administered inside our residential program, alongside therapy.
What Vivitrol is
Vivitrol is extended-release naltrexone, given as an intramuscular injection every 28 to 30 days.¹ Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist: it blocks opioid receptors rather than activating them, so it produces no opioid effect and carries no potential for misuse. It is used for both opioid and alcohol use disorder.
FDA approval and safety profile
Vivitrol was FDA-approved to treat alcohol dependence in 2006 and opioid dependence in 2010.² Common side effects are typically mild — headache, nausea, fatigue, or soreness at the injection site — and a nurse and/or authorized medical provider monitors you closely throughout treatment.
The induction requirement — the part that matters most
You must be fully opioid-free for seven to 10 days before the first injection. Starting naltrexone while opioids are still present precipitates withdrawal, and it can be severe. This is the single most important difference between Vivitrol and buprenorphine-based medications like Suboxone, Subutex and Brixadi, which do not require abstinence first.
That requirement is also why Vivitrol usually follows detox rather than preceding it. Detoxing here under supervision is how the interval is managed safely.
How Vivitrol works
Vivitrol is an opioid antagonist: it fully blocks opioid receptors rather than activating them. That blocking action prevents the euphoric effect if opioids or alcohol are used, reduces cravings so it is easier to focus on therapy and daily life, and supports abstinence-based recovery once detox is complete.
What the research shows
In a randomised controlled trial, individuals who received a 380 mg injection of naltrexone alongside psychosocial support experienced a 25% reduction in heavy drinking days compared with those given a placebo.³
Vivitrol and Suboxone work differently
Vivitrol and Suboxone are both FDA-approved for opioid use disorder, but they work in different ways. Vivitrol is an opioid antagonist that fully blocks opioid receptors, carries no risk of physical dependence, and is dosed monthly rather than daily — but it requires you to be fully opioid-free first. Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist that can be started earlier in withdrawal and is taken daily. Which is appropriate is a clinical decision made with your prescriber, based on your stage of recovery, medical history, and preferences.
Who Vivitrol may fit
- Have completed opioid detox and been opioid-free for at least seven to 10 days
- Want an abstinence-based approach with no opioid content
- Prefer a monthly injection over daily dosing
- Have tried other MAT options and want a different method
Vivitrol for alcohol use disorder
For alcohol use disorder, Vivitrol works by blocking the brain's response to alcohol, particularly the receptors tied to reward. By making drinking less rewarding, it can help reduce cravings and heavy drinking days. It is used as part of a broader treatment plan alongside counseling and behavioral therapy, not on its own.
How Vivitrol fits into treatment here
Medication is one part of the program. People receiving Vivitrol are in residential treatment with individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, trauma-informed therapy and relapse prevention around it. An authorized medical provider determines when Vivitrol may be started, and each injection is administered by a nurse or medical provider under the treatment plan.
Length of stay is determined by medical necessity.
Residential only
We do not offer outpatient Vivitrol maintenance or monthly injection visits. Aftercare planning before discharge includes referrals to continuing care, which is where ongoing injections would be arranged.
Possible side effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Soreness at the injection site
Most symptoms are mild and temporary. A nurse and/or authorized medical provider monitors your response and adjusts your plan if needed.
Relapse prevention alongside Vivitrol
Vivitrol supports relapse prevention by blocking the reward that can make a return to use tempting and by reducing cravings, so you have more capacity for therapy, relationship repair, and daily life. Alongside the medication, your treatment plan includes personalized relapse prevention planning, education on early warning signs, and skills for navigating high-risk situations.
Coverage
Painted Grove Recovery is in network with Kentucky Medicaid and with the plans listed on our paying-for-treatment page. Being in network is a contract between the facility and the payer; it is not a coverage decision. Call admissions and we will verify your benefits with you.
Getting started
Admissions answers 24/7 at 502.842.1425. Authorization comes back as fast as same day, depending on clinical needs and your plan's requirements.
Sources:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Naltrexone. Accessed August 1, 2025.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Drug Approval Package. Accessed August 1, 2025.
- NIH - National Library of Medicine. Chapter 5—Extended-Release Injectable Naltrexone. Accessed August 1, 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vivitrol safe?
Yes, when administered under medical supervision. You must be opioid-free for seven to 10 days before starting to avoid precipitated withdrawal. A nurse and/or authorized medical provider confirms you meet that requirement and monitors your response throughout treatment.
What are the side effects?
Most side effects are mild and temporary, including headache, nausea, fatigue, or soreness at the injection site. Rarer, more serious reactions can occur; your medical provider reviews the risks with you and monitors you regularly.
Can I start Vivitrol if I'm still using opioids or drinking?
No. You must complete detox and be fully opioid-free before your first injection. Detox here happens under medical supervision so that interval is managed safely.
Will I still need therapy while on Vivitrol?
Yes. Vivitrol addresses physical cravings; therapy addresses the emotional and behavioral sides of addiction. It is combined with individual therapy, group therapy, and family support here.
How long before I can start Vivitrol?
You must be fully opioid-free for seven to 10 days before the first injection. Starting sooner risks precipitated withdrawal.
Does Medicaid cover Vivitrol?
Painted Grove Recovery is in network with Kentucky Medicaid. What your specific plan covers depends on your plan and a medical-necessity determination by your insurer — admissions will verify it with you.