Naltrexone & Vivitrol Treatment in Raleigh, NC
When You’re Ready, We’re Here to Help
Medically Reviewed by
Dr. R. Dewayne Book
Dr. R. Dewayne Book serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Advaita Health, overseeing medical services across Green Hill Recovery and Advaita Integrated Medicine.
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For many people recovering from alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder, cravings can become one of the biggest obstacles to long-term recovery. Even after withdrawal symptoms have passed, cravings can continue to pull people back toward substance use.
Naltrexone is a medication that helps reduce cravings and block the rewarding effects of opioids and alcohol.
Available as either a daily pill or a monthly injection known as Vivitrol®, naltrexone can be an effective part of a comprehensive recovery plan that includes therapy, support, and lifestyle changes.
Learn more about our addiction medicine programs or verify your insurance now.
What Is Naltrexone?
Naltrexone is a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of both alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. It belongs to a class of medications known as opioid antagonists, meaning it blocks opioid receptors in the brain.
For individuals recovering from opioid addiction, naltrexone helps prevent opioids from producing the rewarding effects that often reinforce continued use.
For individuals recovering from alcohol addiction, naltrexone can help reduce cravings and decrease the urge to drink.
Unlike some other medications used in addiction treatment, naltrexone is not an opioid and does not produce feelings of intoxication or euphoria.
Two Forms of Naltrexone: Pill or Injection
Naltrexone is available in two different forms. Both contain the same active medication but differ in how they are administered.
Oral Naltrexone
Oral naltrexone is taken as a daily pill. Some individuals prefer this option because it offers flexibility and does not require monthly office visits for injections.
Benefits of oral naltrexone may include:
- Daily self-administration
- Lower upfront treatment costs
- Flexibility in treatment planning
- Effective craving reduction for many individuals
Because it requires daily use, oral naltrexone works best for individuals who feel confident in their ability to consistently take medication as prescribed.
Vivitrol®
Vivitrol is the brand name for an extended-release injectable form of naltrexone that is administered once per month by a healthcare provider.
Many individuals choose Vivitrol because it eliminates the need to remember a daily medication and provides consistent medication coverage throughout the month.
Potential benefits of Vivitrol include:
- Once-monthly administration
- Consistent medication levels
- No daily pill to remember
- Reduced risk of missed doses
- Long-lasting support between appointments
For some individuals, the convenience and consistency of a monthly injection can make treatment easier to maintain over time.
Why the Form Matters
Both oral naltrexone and Vivitrol contain the same medication, but choosing the right option often comes down to lifestyle, preferences, and treatment goals.
Some individuals prefer the flexibility of a daily medication, while others appreciate the convenience of a monthly injection that does not require daily decision-making.
A big factor in treatment success is consistency. A medication can only be effective if it is taken as prescribed.
During your evaluation, our medical team can help you determine which option best fits your recovery goals, schedule, and level of support.
What Naltrexone and Vivitrol Treat
Naltrexone and Vivitrol are primarily used to treat alcohol addiction and opioid addiction.
While the medication works differently depending on the substance involved, the overall goal is the same: to reduce cravings, decrease the risk of relapse, and help individuals maintain progress in recovery.
Alcohol Use Disorder
Naltrexone is commonly used to help individuals reduce alcohol cravings and support recovery from alcohol use disorder. It may be particularly helpful for individuals who continue to experience strong urges to drink despite wanting to stop.
Opioid Use Disorder
Naltrexone and Vivitrol can also be used to support recovery from opioid use disorder. Because naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, it can help reduce the reinforcing effects of opioid use and support long-term recovery efforts.
What to Expect
Before starting naltrexone or Vivitrol for opioid use disorder, individuals must first complete an opioid-free period. Because naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, starting treatment too soon after opioid use can trigger withdrawal symptoms.
Our medical team will review your substance use history, discuss treatment options, and determine whether naltrexone or Vivitrol is an appropriate fit for your situation.
Common side effects may include:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Injection site discomfort (for Vivitrol)
Throughout treatment, our providers monitor progress, answer questions, and make recommendations based on your individual needs and recovery goals.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Naltrexone and Vivitrol may be appropriate for individuals who:
- Are recovering from alcohol use disorder
- Are recovering from opioid use disorder
- Have completed the required opioid-free period
- Want a non-opioid treatment option
- Are looking for support managing cravings
- Want to combine medication with therapy and recovery support
These medications may not be the best fit for everyone. A medical evaluation is the best way to determine whether naltrexone or Vivitrol aligns with your treatment needs and recovery goals.
Naltrexone as Part of a Complete Recovery Plan
Medication can be a valuable tool, but recovery rarely happens through medication alone. Medications can help provide physical and psychological stability, while therapy and recovery support provide the tools needed to build on that foundation.
At Green Hill, Naltrexone and Vivitrol are often combined with therapy, psychiatric care, recovery coaching, and other support services when appropriate.
Medication may help reduce cravings, while therapy helps individuals develop coping skills, strengthen relationships, address underlying challenges, and build a life that supports long-term recovery.
Our goal is to provide integrated care that addresses both the biological and behavioral aspects of addiction.
Addiction Therapy
Therapy helps individuals understand the patterns, triggers, and challenges that contribute to substance use. It also provides practical tools for managing stress, navigating relationships, and maintaining recovery over time. Many individuals receiving Naltrexone or Vivitrol find that therapy helps them make the most of the stability medication can provide.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
For individuals who need more structure than weekly therapy alone, our Intensive Outpatient Program combines group therapy, individual therapy, recovery support, and medical services while allowing individuals to continue living at home and maintaining many of their daily responsibilities.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Our Partial Hospitalization Program provides a higher level of support for individuals who need intensive treatment during the early stages of recovery. PHP combines therapy, psychiatric care, medical support, and recovery programming to help individuals build a strong foundation before transitioning to lower levels of care.
Insurance and Getting Started
Many people researching Naltrexone or Vivitrol are not looking for medication alone—they are trying to determine whether medication could help them finally gain traction in recovery.
Our team can help you evaluate your options, understand the differences between oral Naltrexone and Vivitrol, and determine whether either approach aligns with your recovery goals. Green Hill is in-network with most major insurance providers, and our admissions team can help verify benefits, explain coverage, and connect you with the appropriate level of care if additional support is needed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No. Vivitrol does not produce euphoria, intoxication, or the pleasurable effects associated with opioids.
Start Naltrexone or Vivitrol Treatment in Raleigh, NC
If you are struggling with alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, or ongoing cravings that are interfering with recovery, our medical team is here to help.
Contact Green Hill today to verify insurance benefits, schedule an assessment, and learn whether naltrexone or Vivitrol may be a good fit for your recovery plan.