Help with Alcohol Dependence using VIVITROL®
Alcohol dependence is more complicated than "heavy drinking." Almost 8 million adults in the United States are alcohol dependent. Many people feel that not being able to quit is a personal weakness. It is not and you are not alone.
Alcohol dependence is a chronic, yet treatable disease. A combination of medication, counseling and mutual-help groups are among the therapies that can provide ongoing recovery support.
VIVITROL® (naltrexone for extended-release suspension) is a prescription injectable medicine used to treat alcohol dependence, and to prevent relapse to opioid dependence, after opioid detoxification.
VIVITROL® may help you abstain from alcohol as part of ongoing recovery. When combined with counseling, VIVITROL®
You should stop drinking before starting VIVITROL® . To be effective, treatment with VIVITROL® must be used along with other alcoholism or drug recovery programs such as counseling. VIVITROL® may not work for everyone. VIVITROL® has not been studied in children under the age of 18 years.
Most people suffering from alcoholism have a hard time realizing they have a problem. An intervention from family members and friends is often necessary to help someone recognize and accept that they need to get help. If you're concerned about how to approach someone about their drinking problem, talk to a professional for advice.
Various treatments are available to help people with alcohol problems. Depending on the circumstances, treatment may involve a brief intervention, an outpatient program or counseling, or a residential inpatient stay.
Please call 610-436-1585 for more information.
Treatment for alcoholism can include:
Alcohol dependence is a chronic, yet treatable disease. A combination of medication, counseling and mutual-help groups are among the therapies that can provide ongoing recovery support.
VIVITROL® (naltrexone for extended-release suspension) is a prescription injectable medicine used to treat alcohol dependence, and to prevent relapse to opioid dependence, after opioid detoxification.
VIVITROL® may help you abstain from alcohol as part of ongoing recovery. When combined with counseling, VIVITROL®
You should stop drinking before starting VIVITROL® . To be effective, treatment with VIVITROL® must be used along with other alcoholism or drug recovery programs such as counseling. VIVITROL® may not work for everyone. VIVITROL® has not been studied in children under the age of 18 years.
Most people suffering from alcoholism have a hard time realizing they have a problem. An intervention from family members and friends is often necessary to help someone recognize and accept that they need to get help. If you're concerned about how to approach someone about their drinking problem, talk to a professional for advice.
Various treatments are available to help people with alcohol problems. Depending on the circumstances, treatment may involve a brief intervention, an outpatient program or counseling, or a residential inpatient stay.
Please call 610-436-1585 for more information.
Treatment for alcoholism can include:
- Detoxification and withdrawal. Treatment for alcoholism may begin with a program of detoxification, which generally takes four to seven days. Detoxification is usually done at an inpatient treatment center or at a hospital.
- Learning skills and establishing a treatment plan. This usually involves alcohol-abuse specialists. It may include goal setting, behavior modification techniques, use of self-help manuals, counseling and follow-up care at a treatment center.
- Psychological counseling. Counseling and therapy for groups and individuals support recovery from the psychological aspects of alcoholism. You may benefit from couples or family therapy — family support can be an important part of the recovery process.
- Oral medications. An alcohol-sensitizing drug called disulfiram (Antabuse) may help prevent you from drinking. Disulfiram won't cure alcoholism, nor can it remove the compulsion to drink. But if you drink alcohol, the drug produces a physical reaction that includes flushing, nausea, vomiting and headaches. Naltrexone (ReVia), a drug long known to block the good feelings alcohol causes, reduces the urge to drink. Acamprosate (Campral) may help you combat alcohol cravings. Unlike disulfiram, naltrexone and acamprosate don't make you feel sick soon after taking a drink.
- Injected medication. Vivitrol, a version of the drug naltrexone, is injected once a month by a health care professional. Although similar medication can be taken in pill form, the injectable version of the drug may be easier for people recovering from alcohol dependence to use consistently.
- Continuing support. Aftercare programs and support groups help people recovering from alcoholism or alcohol abuse to stop drinking, manage relapses and cope with necessary lifestyle changes. This may include medical or psychological care or attending a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
- Treatment for psychological problems. Alcoholism commonly occurs along with other mental health disorders. You may need psychological counseling (psychotherapy), medications, or other treatment for depression, anxiety or another mental health condition.
- Medical treatment for other conditions. Common medical problems related to alcoholism are high blood pressure, increased blood sugar, liver disease and heart disease.
