Opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder are among the most common addictions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in five people with an opioid use disorder also have a co-occurring condition such as depression or anxiety, which causes them to turn towards these drugs more often. The same goes for alcohol addiction. Many people who struggle with opioid addiction also struggle with alcoholism because of their underlying mental health issues. For example, studies have shown that 80 percent of prescription opioid users suffer from some form of mental health condition, compared with only 54 percent of non-users.
The Primary Risks of Opioid Use and Alcohol Use Disorder
Opioid use disorder is a serious medical condition that can have many negative consequences. People who have opioid use disorder may be at risk of overdose and death, so it’s important to seek help if you think someone you know might be addicted to opioids.
How Suboxone Treatment Works
Suboxone is a medication that helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It works by providing a partial opioid agonist effect, which means it mimics the effects of opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers.
The treatment has been approved by the FDA for use in treating opioid use disorder (OUD). OUD is when someone uses any kind of opioid for non-medical reasons for longer than prescribed. OUD can lead to addiction and eventually death if left untreated; therefore, it’s important to get help as soon as possible!
How Vivitrol Treats Opioid Use and Alcohol Use Disorder
Vivitrol is a medication that blocks opioid receptors, which can be used to treat opioid use disorder.
Vivitrol is an extended-release injectable form of naltrexone (Trexan), which was originally developed as an antidepressant drug in the 1990s and has been used off-label to treat alcohol dependence in Europe since 2005.
Treatment with Vivitrol involves injecting the medication into your hip or buttock muscle every three weeks for up to 24 months—or until you want to stop taking it altogether.
Understanding Suboxone and Vivitrol Treatment
Suboxone and Vivitrol are both FDA-approved medications. They’re used to treat opioid use disorder, which is an addiction to opioids (such as heroin). Both Suboxone and Vivitrol are available as a monthly injection.
Understanding Suboxone and Vivitrol treatment for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder
Suboxone and Vivitrol are both used to treat opioid use disorder, but they work very differently. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine, which is an opioid receptor agonist, and naloxone, which blocks the receptors and prevents withdrawal symptoms.
Vivitrol is a long-lasting form of naltrexone that has been shown to reduce cravings for drugs like heroin and cocaine by up to 86%.
Using Suboxone and Vivitrol to Address Opioid and Alcohol Dependence
Both Suboxone and Vivitrol can help you stop using opioids, alcohol, or both. They have been used to treat opioid dependence since the early 2000s, but they’re still some of the only medications available for this purpose.
Suboxone is a medication that contains buprenorphine—a synthetic form of opium (a drug derived from poppies) that acts on opioid receptors in your brain. Buprenorphine has been shown to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid use disorder when taken as part of an ongoing treatment program.[1]
Vivitrol is another medication used to treat people who are addicted to opioids and alcohol.[2] It blocks the effects of opioids by binding with receptor sites on nerve cells in your central nervous system; this prevents them from working properly so you don’t feel any pain or euphoria after taking them.[3][4]
Conclusion
Suboxone and Vivitrol are two medications that can be used to treat opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. It’s important for patients to know how these drugs work, as well as how they can help with their addictions.
