Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• KCa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 1, 2019

"I started Vivitrol injections 2 years ago and have been clean ever since! I became addicted to opiates 35 years ago and have tried every kind of treatment imaginable over the years. I used again after 6 months on methadone and only 3 months on Suboxone. But Vivitrol works differently. Whereas the older medications kept me in active addiction due to causing euphoria and physical dependence, Vivitrol does not cause either of these. Vivitrol decreases my cravings and blocks the effects of opioids. Addicts won't spend their money on opiates while taking Vivitrol because they know they can't get high. It's been a lifesaver for me, and in my opinion, it's far superior to the older medications."

• Blu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 19, 2013

"This medication has helped me exponentially. I was addicted to opiates for the past 8 years. I was in and out of hospitals with no positive outcome in sight, this is the first time I have been able to maintain any kind of sobriety. Along with other support, the cravings have never been so minimal. All I can say is that I'm truly happy that I was prescribed this medication."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2018

"I was an opiate user for close to 20 years. I've been on Vivitrol for a month now. I have zero desire to use, and to be honest, have a hard time even remembering the way the opiates made me feel. I think a lot of people are confusing their regular post-acute withdrawal symptoms with the Vivitrol side effects. I personally think Vivitrol is saving my life."

• Ott...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 6, 2016

"I still don't know if cravings and anxiety are one and the same, but I've been on this for 6 months. I notice a lot of headaches, increased anxiety, depression, insomnia, and male sexual problems. I still need 0.5 mg Xanax 5 times a day for the anxiety, and Ambien CR for insomnia. The product coordination nurses deny that this causes male sexual side effects. I've had sex twice in 6 months on Vivitrol, and that includes my honeymoon. I think Vivitrol helped me the most by making it clear that if I tried any opiates, I could overdose immediately and die. So I've put up with the side effects, but I hope to be off this in 1 year. And, yes, I want my sex life back."

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2018

"I was drinking a lot every day and taking about 20 to 30 drops a day, plus other things. I woke up one day and decided that I needed to do something about it before I ended up dead. It was hard to do, my wife had no idea for the last 14 years I was an addict. The first thing I did was come clean with her, which was the hardest thing to do when you spend so much time covering your tracks. It's hard to humble yourself and come clean, but that is the first step. After that, I had to be clean for five to seven days before I could get Vivitrol. Days before I got the shot, I remember sitting in the living room in tears, wondering if I'll ever be right. But getting the shot is the best move, it does not hurt bad at all, it's like a flu shot, and all of this about no energy and whatnot, I did not experience. I felt great the night I got it, I had more energy and more of an appetite. It has now been two months, and I have not had a drink or any opioids. If I can give you any advice, get the shot and get your life back."

• Sov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2016

"Week three after Vivitrol. Still having severe insomnia, goosebumps, depression, lack of energy, and weakness. It did curb my desire for cigarettes, but because I feel so horrible for so long, I am craving a fix. I'm only on the fence with this injection."

• Ash...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 21, 2019

"I was addicted to pain pills for 12 yrs before it turned into a heroin addiction. I went through multiple treatment programs, drug court, multiple jail visits, and 3 prison stays. My last time in prison, my mom talked me into trying the Vivitrol, so to make her happy I agreed, but I decided I wanted to use one more time. The day after I got out was my appointment, and my plan was to go and talk with the lady and ask questions and tell her I wanted to look into the side effects and so on and so forth. Well, for some reason, I ended up getting the shot that day, and it was the best decision I have ever made. I cannot believe how much it has changed my life. I love who I am today, I love the confidence that I have gained and the relationships I am building with my kids and my family, and it's all because I am sober, and I am sober because of Vivitrol. I don't think about using, I have absolutely no cravings or triggers, and the way I feel when I talk about Vivitrol is better than any high I have ever felt."

• JJb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2015

"I got my first Vivitrol shot 2 days ago. I was going through opiate withdrawals, and alcohol was my daily coffee. I don't hurt or think about using. I actually drink coffee in the morning again. And my family is slowly coming back together. The only thing I have negative about the shot is I am only getting 3-4 hours of toss-and-turn sleep at night. I work in construction, and I need my sleep. But what is weird, with little sleep, I still can perform my job just the same (commercial plumber/HVAC)."

• Rus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2017

"People, if you are switching from methadone or buprenorphine (Suboxone), do NOT get the shot right away. Both methadone and buprenorphine are long-acting opiates. When a medical professional tells you that you need to stay clean for 5-7 days, they are speaking of short-acting opiates. Heroin, OC, OP, OHC, and I'm sure the other codeine derivatives have a much shorter half-life (a measure of how long they stay in your body) than do methadone and buprenorphine. If you are trying to switch from one of the long-acting opiates to the naltrexone shot, personally I would switch to a shorter-acting opiate for two weeks, then stay clean off the for 4-5 days, and then get the shot. I understand this may not sit well with some people."

• Spa...
• May 13, 2019

"I have been off and on pharmacy painkillers for close to 10 years. Eventually moved on to fet and H, typically around 1-2 gs a day. Felt hopeless, had to leave a 75k job because of its location being right in the fet mecca. Took the pill form for two months and wasn't really ready to commit. Finally got the shot, and the first week I tried drinking on it with pretty rough side effects. Slowly tapered off my drinking vice too, just makes me gag thinking about it. Did ramp up the blow usage a little, but that's just my mental state wanting to be something other than sober, and I'm working on that too. I'm 4 shots in, 6 months clean of any opioid, and feel great all around. I did notice I orgasm really quickly...like every time is a quick. I've run through a wide variety thinking maybe they were just too hot? Not the case, I think I'm just finally feeling sex? Not sure, but I'm quick draw McGraw till further notice. Best of luck to everyone, I'd highly recommend it to everyone."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2015

"Vivitrol does an excellent job at blocking your opiate receptors, preventing you from getting high. I've been a heavy heroin/oxycodone addict for the last 6 years. This was my first real attempt to quit and decided on Vivitrol because it's non-habit forming. I've been on the shot for 5 months now. The reason I give it a so-so rating is because it does nothing for your urges and cravings. That's a battle you still have to fight on your own. After my first injection, I experienced 'brain fog,' rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure for the next 24 hours. I was 14 days clean prior to the injection. The next 4 injections went smoothly. Vivitrol also seems to affect my sleep pattern, bowel movements, and sex drive for two weeks after each of the injections."

• Swi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2016

"Most doctors recommend a heavy dose over a two-week taper. I started with a half 8 mg sub and decreased over 7 days. On the 7th day, I only took 1/16 of a sub, and that was it. With help from Xanax and 420, I was able to make the 14 days needed for the shot, but still didn't feel amazing, I was getting there. The only negative about the shot is that I have bad stomach pains for the first two shots already, which last time I was just tired for the first two shots. I am wondering if anyone else gets this stomach pain all day and all night."

• JTE...
• February 16, 2017

"I recently went through a medical detox from heroin, and after 6 days, when my vitals showed I was opiate-free, I was administered the Vivitrol shot, which is pretty deep and painful in itself. I experienced terrible symptoms like upset stomach, diarrhea, severe restlessness, muscle cramps and twitches, nausea, chills, fever, enlarged pupils, lazy eye, extreme irritability, high anxiety, rapid heart rate, shakiness, and sleeplessness, plus the site where the shot was administered ached like an epidural. I ended up in the emergency room with an adverse reaction. I feel like death and can barely focus on my actual detox and life. Next month, when this shot is hopefully out of my system, I will not get it again! At least I'm off heroin!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2019

"The first couple of days after I get the shot, I feel a little out of it, like “blah” and tired, but that goes away. This shot significantly helps my cravings to get high. There’s no obsession anymore. It’s just a thought, and then it passes. Plus, after a while, it resets your dopamine levels back to normal, and your brain heals. I recommend it to every opiate abuser out there and alcoholic!"

• Ali...
• March 31, 2018

"I’m a combat vet. I ended up in inpatient treatment at the VA. At first, I was prescribed Suboxone. Suboxone worked well while I was in inpatient. After treatment, I relapsed and quickly fell. It got to a point quickly that I didn’t want to live anymore. I went back to the same inpatient treatment. I had 3 options: Methadone (pushes the opiate receptor 100%), Suboxone (pushes it slightly), Vivitrol (blocks the receptor for a month). I tried Vivitrol. I can tell you being 8 months sober that it is amazing. It is not just the medicine. Number one: is the desire to change. Number two: the knowledge I received through the VA. I have friends that have similar results."

• cul...
• October 1, 2015

"Yeah, dude, I used the night before my shot, about 5 minutes after the shot felt it kicking in within 15. I was in full-blown withdrawal, my mother had to carry me out of the car. Within another 20 minutes, I was screaming in agony. I was told I was incoherent and hallucinating. I was spewing liquid from both ends involuntarily, and I mean pouring out like a faucet. I've gone cold turkey off opiates before and even complained about what Suboxone used to do. But even the precipitated withdrawal from Subs is nothing compared to what Vivitrol does. It's day 4, and I'm only starting to stabilize."

• Oxy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2016

"The shot is a very good deterrent for me. I am being forced to undergo 6 months of injections against my will. My drug of choice is Oxymorphone (Opana) and Oxycodone 30 mg. I've been using for about two years before I got locked up for 5 months. Got out, did okay for about a month, then relapsed. Before I knew it, I was doing pills every day...again. Went to rehab about a month after my first relapse, did the 30 days there, and probation forced me to make Vivitrol part of my recovery plan. The first shot was horrible at first. I was clean for 27 days before I got it, but once injected, I started getting lightheaded. Then came vomiting, stomach cramps, and pretty bad migraines. I'm getting shot number two in about 5 days."

• Viv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2016

"After 16 years of opioid and heroin addiction, I had tried everything. Methadone for 3 years and off and on Suboxone for 8 or more years, I tried hard to get off Suboxone, and it was horrid withdrawal, so I relapsed on heroin. When I knew I might die if I kept it up, I put myself into detox and planned to leave after. Stayed for rehab, and the Vivitrol was suggested. I went back and forth with my decision because I still wanted to drink. Finally, I decided to get the shot. Side effects: muscle spasms, constant stretching that felt great, decreased appetite, weight loss. The interactions with my 3 mg of clonazepam are hard to explain. It's a high definitely, but not one I like too much. If I take Bentyl for the stomach cramps, I get really dipped out."

• Gra...
• April 30, 2017

"This is my second time receiving the Vivitrol injection. It is very effective for alcohol and opiate dependence. I have had very little cravings for either drug. My side effects were minimal. I highly recommend this drug for the disease of addiction."

• KDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

"I've only been back on the Vivitrol shot for 2 days. I'm having no side effects. I got one Vivitrol shot 2 years ago and had no side effects or withdrawal from it at all. I just got out of prison. I used the day I got out. I got the Vivitrol shot because I have to stop getting high. All of my friends that have gone to rehab then used Vivitrol have all stayed clean. I believe the longest one is 4 years sober. I get dropped by my PO once a week. So yeah, at this point, I have to stay clean or go back to prison. I know it's only been 2 days, but I feel like my cravings have stopped. I'm also going to do an IOP along with the shot. I need all the help I can get. I'm definitely not having any bad side effects. My ass cheek is a little sore where I received the injection, but I would think that's normal. I guess only time will tell, but so far the Vivitrol shot seems to be working."

• Jak...
• July 6, 2017

"Vivitrol has made me completely useless. I was taking methadone as prescribed every day for the last six years. I actually cut my dose in half the last 24 months. But, I decided to quit cold turkey to get on Vivitrol. Now I am so miserable! I can only get myself to take a couple bites of food a day if I can keep it down. My head is constantly throbbing. I haven't slept more than two hours every night for at least a month. My body is so weak, yet I'm constantly freezing and sweating. My hands shake all the time, and the ringing in my ears is so loud I have a hard time hearing things sometimes. I find that I don't care about anything. I don't even want to be around my own son anymore. I am not surprised people get suicidal on this drug."

• ImJ...
• November 3, 2016

"Battled a 6-year prescription opiate addiction, with a good 5 years in and out of withdrawals trying to get clean, never working and landing myself in the hospital twice, once for a week and lucky to be alive. Tried a suboxone program but wanted to be properly free from the opiate bindings and feel again. Since being on Naltrexone, I have not thought, cared, or desired any opiate. Totally free from my mind and able to get on with my life, feeling, and feeling great. As an added bonus, my in-and-out battle with alcohol has gone the exact same way, also dropping other destructive impulsive behavior. Just don't care about it. The first week I had brutal lethargy but after dealing with years of withdrawals, it was cake, no side effects since then. Life saver."

• Lyn...
• February 21, 2020

"I did a rapid detox of Subutex after 7 years. Got the Vivitrol shot. Woke up after detox in instant withdrawal. They said it was post-acute withdrawal, but it's full-blown and miserable. Day 7 and I'm literally just surviving on clonidine and gabapentin mainly. I'm weak, shaking, and miserable. I just want my life back. I just want relief. Here's to 3 more weeks. Maybe it won't be so bad, but at this point, I'm going back on Sub. This blows."

• BRa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2019

"Vivitrol saved my life! Anyone who truly wants a better life will take this medication into consideration. This is a game changer for anyone who is tired of waking up feeling tired from their addiction because once you receive this shot, you will instantly be back in control of your life. Words of warning: your body must be clear of alcohol and opioids for 7-10 days before receiving the injection, and for good reasons, please take caution."

• Jen...
• September 14, 2017

"I have been on Vivitrol for a month with no side effects whatsoever. A little sore at the injection site for about 24 hours, but really not bad at all. I don't believe naltrexone is what makes people feel like crap, it's really just withdrawal symptoms. Please do your research, have a support system, and don't let people scare you out of trying recovery! Good luck to all-"