Using medication to treat addiction is very effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for drugs or alcohol. When starting an addiction treatment program, you should familiarize yourself with the differences between Vivitrol vs. Methadone. Both are very beneficial in treating addiction at different stages of the process. Finding a New Hampshire Methadone-assisted treatment center is the best option for those who are ready to quit abusing drugs or alcohol and need help getting through detoxing safely.
At Liberty Health Services, we work with men and women who have an addiction to alcohol, opioid pain medication, heroin, or other types of harmful substances. When you first arrive at our luxury facility in a serene wood-like setting, we will run a full assessment and answer any questions you have about the recovery experience. Our treatment programs include medication-assisted treatment along with several types of behavioral and holistic therapies. For more information about what Methadone is and the other types of medication we use, call 855.959.4521 to speak with our friendly team and schedule a tour.
Using Medication to Treat Addiction
While there are some key differences between Vivitrol vs. Methadone, both medications are very effective in easing withdrawal symptoms during detox and throughout the recovery experience. Addiction can cause some severe side effects in men and women when they try to quit without medical support. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can be deadly. Delirium tremens is a fatal side effect of alcohol addiction that produces dangerously high blood pressure, fever, hallucinations, and other painful symptoms.
Using either Methadone vs. Vivitrol can reduce the impact of delirium tremens and other common withdrawal symptoms that can cause a person to relapse. Withdrawal symptoms can start as soon as 6-8 hours from your last dose and last for several weeks to months. Around 48-72 hours is when most symptoms peak and cravings are more intense. Those who relapse at this time are more likely to overdose if they don’t take their lowered tolerance into account and abuse the same amount or more.
At Liberty Health Services, we work hard to make you feel comfortable as you begin your addiction recovery. We will review your treatment program with you and discuss what Vivitrol is, other types of therapies we use, and how they can benefit your recovery.
Vivitrol vs. Methadone
When enrolling in an addiction treatment program, trained professionals will evaluate your physical and mental health to determine which treatments will be most beneficial. Addiction is a complex illness to treat that requires a combination of behavioral support and medication. Here are some of the differences between Vivitrol vs. Methadone:
What Is Methadone?
Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist that is used to treat chronic pain and opioid addiction. It is a slow-acting opioid and has less of a euphoric effect, but there still is a risk of abusing this medication if not closely monitored. It is best used as a short-term medication during the detox stage when withdrawal symptoms are at their worst. It gives clients the pain relief they need without the euphoria that is common with most opioids.
Methadone should not be taken by clients who have a heart rhythm disorder, an electrolyte imbalance, breathing problems, liver or kidney disease, or have a history of seizures or a head injury.
What Is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is the brand name for Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist that fully blocks the effects of opioids and is used as maintenance therapy during addiction recovery. It is approved by the FDA to treat opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder and comes in either a daily pill or a monthly injection.
Most clients prefer the monthly injection as it eliminates the risk of forgetting to take a pill. Vivitrol should not be taken for 7-14 days after all opioids are out of your system. Taking Vivitrol with opioids in your system will cause immediate withdrawal symptoms.
Join Liberty Health Services at Our New Hampshire Methadone-Assisted Treatment Center
Understanding the differences between Methadone vs. Vivitrol is very important to know when you are starting an addiction recovery program. At Liberty Health Services, we go over the recovery process with you during admissions. Our team takes the time to get to know your family history and personal experiences that can contribute to the addiction. We then form a tailored treatment program that combines a number of beneficial therapies, such as:
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Group and individual therapy
- Family therapy
When you are ready for a change, call 855.959.4521 or send us a message online today, and one of our team members will get back to you within 24 hours.
