Vivitrol is now a popular treatment for opioid-addicted individuals who can’t stay clean and constantly relapse, but how much does it cost? Vivitrol is a once-monthly intravenous medication that was designed to help men and women suffering from moderate or severe opioid addiction. While Vivitrol is effective for many people who have been unable to stay off of prescription painkillers, heroin, or synthetic opioids like fentanyl, using this medication does not come without a price – and that price can total up to $1500 for some cash-paying customers.
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There Are Some Downsides to Vivitrol Injections
While this medication is widely accepted as a beneficial part of some opioid addiction recovery treatment plans, there are several notable side effects. These side effects include:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Disorientation and confusion
- Muscle cramps and muscle spasms
- Depression and suicidal ideation
- Sinus headaches
- Pain and swelling at the injection site
- Uncontrollable shaking and twitching
Vivitrol treatment is quite costly, and because of this, many medical professionals suggest Suboxone as an alternative treatment option. At Recreate Life Counseling we utilize Suboxone in addition to intensive therapeutic intervention and 12 step immersion far more frequently than we prescribe Vivitrol, simply because it is far more cost-effective.
How Much Does a Vivitrol Injection Cost?
On average, a single Vivitrol shot costs $1000. This might seem extremely expensive – and truth be told, that’s because it is. While most major health insurance providers cover some degree of Medication Assisted Treatment, taking monthly Vivitrol shots can still make quite a dent in your wallet, seeing as behavioral health services are not always covered in full – and most insurance companies eventually max out. The Food and Drug Administration first approved the medication for the treatment of opioid abuse and dependence in the year 2010, and since then it has become a popular treatment option for men and women who simply cannot seem to stay clean regardless of how hard they try.
Is Vivitrol Treatment Worth the Price Tag?
Of course, if a person has overdosed on heroin or any other opioid repeatedly and is at risk of overdose-related death, Vivitrol is worth it. You cannot put a price on your life or the life of a loved one. It is important to note, however, that Vivitrol is not completely effective when it comes to preventing overdose. In a recent study that took place from 2014 to 2017 at several inpatient treatment centers, it was determined that 52 percent of men and women who were injected once monthly with Vivitrol experienced a relapse. Relapsing while taking this medication can be especially dangerous, because the person does not feel the effects of the opioid narcotic, and is, therefore, more inclined to take more.
We Offer a Multi-Faceted Approach to Opioid Addiction Recovery
At Recreate Life Counseling we offer a multi-faceted approach to addiction recovery that avoids relying on one specific treatment option. Instead, we combine several proven treatment options to provide our clients with the most effective care available.
Medication-Assisted Treatment is an important part of many journeys of recovery – but it is never effective as a stand-alone treatment option. Over time medications like Vivitrol can become a crutch – the main point of addiction recovery is to help people learn how to stand on their own two feet, and stay sober long-term by continuing with individual therapy and the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (or Narcotics Anonymous).
There is a Clean and Sober Life Beyond Vivitrol Injections
Taking medication long-term is not a viable solution, and it should never be confused for a “cure” to addiction. Addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease, and it can be successfully treated but can never be cured. To learn more about the treatment options we provide or to begin your healing journey, simply pick up the phone and give us a call. We are standing by around the clock to help in any way possible.