Vivitrol Vs Suboxone

In 2017, President Trump issued an executive order declaring a public health emergency in response to the growing opiate epidemic. Prescription opiate abuse has continued to rise since the release of powerful painkillers like OxyContin and Opana. Opiate addiction is a chronic and incurable condition that causes significant changes to your brain chemistry. Recovery from a substance abuse disorder or addiction can take time. During early recovery at a Suboxone treatment center, you can experience overwhelming cravings which can be hard to overcome. However, medications can help during your recovery from opiate addiction. Whether you choose to take Vivitrol vs Suboxone, both medications can provide you with additional support to remain abstinent.

Opiate Addiction

Opiates are drugs that are produced from opium plants and cause pleasurable feelings. They cause your brain to release excessive amounts of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that causes positive emotions like happiness and euphoria. Opiates can also numb pain.

Some of the most commonly abused opiates include:

• OxyContin
• Vicodin
• Percocet
• Fentanyl
• Heroin
• Morphine

Both prescription and illicit opiates are physically and psychologically addicting. Opiate addiction causes your brain’s pleasure and reward center to reward opiate use by releasing a rush of dopamine. This produces the euphoric effects associated with opiate intoxication. These effects typically last 2-3 hours but can last longer depending on the route of administration.

Addiction causes your brain to become dependent on opiates in order to release dopamine. When you attempt to stop using opiates, your brain can cause you to experience overwhelming cravings. You can also deal with intense withdrawal symptoms. Cravings may linger after detoxing, which makes the risks of relapse during recovery high. In fact, nearly half of all people in recovery experience at least one relapse.

Certain medications can help you combat cravings during recovery in opiate abuse treatment. You can choose to take Vivitrol vs Suboxone, which both can help decrease cravings and improve your ability to stay clean.

Vivitrol Vs Suboxone

So, what is the difference between Vivitrol vs Suboxone? Vivitrol is an injection of naltrexone, which blocks your opioid receptor. This means that if you use opiates while on Vivitrol, you will not get high. Vivitrol lasts for 28 days.

Suboxone comes in a film form and is taken daily, similar to methadone. Suboxone has buprenorphine and naloxone. Naloxone blocks your brain’s opioid receptors, preventing you from experiencing euphoric effects if you take opiates. 

Both Vivitrol and Suboxone are prescription only medications. A Suboxone treatment center can provide you with a prescription and help monitor your symptoms during recovery.

Finding Help Today

When you or a loved one is struggling with opiate addiction or investigating your treatment options, you may have trouble understanding the difference between Vivitrol vs Suboxone. Both medications can help you remain clean and sober during recovery and a treatment center help you pick which is best for your needs. Beaches Recovery, a leading opiate, and drug rehab center, understand what it takes to overcome opiate addiction. Call us today at 866.605.0532 to learn more about our programs.