Vivitrol for Alcohol Use Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• San...
• October 8, 2019

"1st shot of Vivitrol on 9.9.19 & I immediately tried to test it but didn’t go hardcore. I did feel motivated to clean and care about responsibilities more than usual. Within a few days, I was drinking heavy again & it was BAD. I suggest taking Antabuse before you even leave the office & keep taking it for at least a week so drinking is not an option. On 9.23.19, I met with my therapist and our talk helped, but I still wanted to drink. Today, 10.07.19, I had my second shot. I was determined to not drink for a week to see the results and somehow ended up at an AA meeting on a whim. There I met a woman that talked to me for 3 hrs after the meeting where she called me out on my BS in a way only another alcoholic can. My recommendation: Vivitrol shot, Antabuse at first, a therapist you trust and respect (good luck, it’s a challenge), & AA meetings. Vivitrol is not a miracle. It is one ingredient in a recipe. Alone, it’s like eating plain flour and expecting it to taste like cookies and cake."

• Isa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2018

"Life changer for me. My alcohol use and cravings were out of control and affecting everything important to me. The day I first took this shot, I drank way less and stopped obsessing with thoughts of drinking. This may have saved my life."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2018

"I've been an alcoholic for the past 35 years. I'm 52, pretty sad. I tried every single way to stop, a year here, 6 months there. I thought I could just have one drink, but it never ever worked. I tried every which way I could, but it always rounded up to the same thing: drunk, staggering in a hospital or mental institute. I finally made the choice to get Vivitrol, and it was the best thing I could have ever done. I only had one shot so far, and the craving, which I couldn't get rid of, is gone. It's gone, one shot. I can't wait to get my second shot, it's a miracle. Thank you, Vivitrol, and for anybody thinking about it, seriously go for it, it's worth your life. I didn't get any side effects whatsoever. God bless us all."

• Rox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2018

"I had been drinking heavily for about 4 years. I had to go through withdrawal at a hospital just in case it was medically necessary, I was really far gone with alcohol. After detox, the doctor suggested Vivitrol-an injection every 30 days. Took my first shot 11/13/2018. I have not had any cravings for alcohol since. Scheduled to get another one in December. I hope my success with Vivitrol continues. I’ve read through a lot of Vivitrol reviews for alcohol on this website, and most of the reviews seem similar to mine."

• Bra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2019

"My wife has been on Vivitrol for about 2 weeks and is still drinking heavily. She says it is helping her, but I don't see it. Paying $1,200 for a shot that doesn't work is not sustainable. I was hoping for a silver bullet, but was unfortunately wrong. Good luck to everyone dealing with alcoholism one way or another. May have to look at something else, maybe look at Acamprosate."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2024

"I have been struggling with alcohol pretty much my whole life. I tried Naltrexone & Vivitrol about 10 years ago and they didn't work. This time I'm taking Vivitrol under careful doctor's supervision. I'm embarrassed that I had not tried this again sooner. Vivitrol is saving me."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2018

"I'm on my 4th month of Vivitrol. I haven't drunk at all. I only think about drinking again when emotionally triggered. I think the drug is doing its job and will continue. I am tired and depressed, but that's just part of this whole cleanup process. A+ Vivitrol."

• thi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2023

"OMG. I feel like I'm dying of apathy at best, and a shaking, sweating, angry ball of anxiety at worst. I had gone through alcohol and benzo withdrawal a month ago, then got this horrible shot and immediately felt like I was going through it all over again, plus other weird side effects like ringing ears, insomnia but exhaustion, lack of motivation, and no interest in anything... at all. Today is only a week since I got the shot, and I can't stand to think that the next 3 weeks will be like this. Do your research, unlike me. If you have depression or anxiety, think this over. Yay, I'm not drinking or thinking about drinking, but I feel like I wouldn't get off the couch if the house was on fire, either. I would do benzo withdrawal twice over rather than deal with these awful side effects. Never again."

• Bob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2019

"Works good for cravings, but with the side effects I don't like. I feel terrible for a week after the injection. Panic attacks, anxiety, depressed mood, and gastric discomfort. I have been in treatment for over 12 years, several rehabs, and AA. I wish it didn't have the side effects. I am debating about continuing use."

• Rem...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 26, 2020

"I have been on Naltrexone and, more recently, Vivitrol for 8 months now. I was a heavy opiate user and occasional drinker. Having tried Methadone and Suboxone in the past, I knew that options just led to dependence on another drug, so after my latest relapse, I got on it. I am not going to lie, the first week was hard. That's mostly my fault because they told me I had to stay sober for a full week before taking it, and I didn't. But now, after having time to adjust, I gotta say it is a lifesaver for me. I have gotten acne on my back and even on my scalp, which I have heard others say happened to them, but other than that, zero side effects so far. If you have an opiate addiction and you want guaranteed results, TAKE THIS MEDICATION. I cannot stress enough how much this has saved my life. I have no cravings and no overwhelming urge to get high."

• Mil...
• August 12, 2017

"Received my second injection this week. So far, so good! No cravings and no discernible side effects from the shot. This has become a very helpful tool in my sobriety toolbox, which includes AA, outpatient counseling, and antidepressants. And, of course, my higher power, whom I call God. This shot is definitely worth a shot. ☺️"

• Smo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2018

"First of all, I do not agree that this shot gives a lack of energy and a bad mood. Those are symptoms of acute withdrawal and depression due to early sobriety. Many of my friends swear by this shot. For me personally, I love it. I have no craving for opioids or alcohol completely. As with many of my friends, the shot gave me an awesome surge of energy about 10 days after going on naltrexone! The injection site was sore for a week, but it's the only side effect that I got. I highly recommend this medicine as it's noticeably making me feel great."

• J-J...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2024

"Vivitrol works very well. I have had no cravings whatsoever over the last 84 days. They say there's no cure for alcoholism, however, if you have the willpower and determination, Vivitrol is a great choice to help you remain sober."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2021

"Received the injection 30 days ago and have been depressed since. Endorphins play a major role in depression. Endorphins get released in response to drugs and alcohol. They are also released naturally by coffee, exercise, and good experiences. You only need a small amount of this drug in your system to block the 'happiness' receptors. The drug will be gone anywhere from 25 to 50 days. I cannot wait for it to be gone. Yes, I'm not drinking, but I'm miserable. Who would want to live like that? My doctor said she was surprised that dysphoria happened, well, then that doesn't help me."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 24, 2021

"Long story short, I was in a downward spiral, suicidal. I was drinking a handle of vodka every two days. I had tried everything to quit. I did 30 days in inpatient rehab where I started Naltrexone. Switched to Vivitrol right before I left rehab and continued the shots for a total of 8 months. Fast forward, I am over 2 and a half years sober. Life is AMAZING. I wake up every day so glad to be sober. I don’t miss drinking, I don’t think about it, I never ever crave it, EVER. It is like my brain was reset to someone who never ever drank. You could not pay me a million dollars to take a drink now. I did not do AA, or any kind of support other than self-help and using the tools that I learned in rehab and family support. Everyone has a different journey, but if you truly in your heart have zero desire to drink, then all the rest of that stuff isn’t necessary in my opinion/in my case. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to take Vivitrol. Good luck."

• Ies...
• September 25, 2020

"I received the Vivitrol injection yesterday morning and have felt tired, (like can’t really get enough sleep) tired. I was worried until I read comments on this platform. It seems to be a common feeling for the first 4 days. I’m hopeful."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2018

"I received the Vivitrol shot 3 days ago for alcohol dependency. So far, it has helped with the craving to want to drink. The side effects that I have are I’m constantly tired and have no motivation. I just feel blank and withdrawn from the world. I hear this lasts for only 4 days or so, I truly hope that’s true. Hopefully, my body adjusts to this medication (injection) so I can get up out of bed and enjoy life again. I’m just so not used to being down, I’m normally full of energy and have motivation to do things. Fingers crossed."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2022

"Made me extremely ill. Not an opiate user. Got the 30-day shot. Feel anxious, problems with my digestive system, headaches, trouble sleeping, and overly tired somehow. Fatigued all day, and my body aches. It's awful. I feel like I have the flu, and simultaneously, all the joy has been sucked out of my life. I can't take pleasure in anything during the day."

• New...
• March 30, 2023

"I started off taking oral naltrexone for a few months before switching to these monthly injections at my doctor’s suggestion. I’ve had three shots so far. After my second one, I experienced severe itching at the injection site for days. It was so bad that it kept me awake. However, that didn’t occur after my first or my third injection. I’ve been sober since the first of January. I feel no alcohol cravings at all. I feel this medication is really helping me. The daily oral version was helping me, too, but I had headaches literally every single day after popping my pill. That doesn’t happen to me with the injections. I definitely recommend this if you truly want to get clear-minded and end your slavery."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2021

"First off, this is perfect if you are a hardcore addict for alcohol and heroin. I had a problem with alcohol because of anxiety, but I would only drink one time a month or longer. Naturally, my anxiety is kind of bad, but with Vivitrol, it's 100 times worse, it comes and goes and sometimes feels like a bad drug trip. I have been on it for three months, and ever since I got the injection, I have felt this way. The doctor said it's not known to increase anxiety, but that's completely rubbish. I am no longer going to continue using it, I am 9 out of 10 sure that's why I feel like rubbish. So I would advise you to proceed with caution because once it is in you, there's no turning back. Try naltrexone in pill form first and see how you feel with that. Otherwise, stay with counseling, meetings, and just plain old abstinence."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2021

"It made me really depressed. I will never take it again. It is day 42 and I still feel happiness being blocked. Other things to note, it blocks the effect of coffee, exercise, and pleasure in general. Would not recommend."

• Bek...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2018

"I have been getting the shot for four months now. I love how it helps with cravings. I have noticed, though, that about a week before I'm due for my next shot, I get very irritable. I also feel more tired than usual. I can deal with the tiredness, but the irritability can be unbearable."

• K9h...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2021

"This is the first time I have ever posted on a forum regarding medication, but I felt compelled to for this one. I am a 52-year-old male. Started drinking vodka pretty lightly a few week nights and on weekends about 4 years ago. Following a divorce and the loss of a few loved ones, my drinking got progressively worse, where I would make a beeline to the liquor store after work every day. Every night sitting alone in front of the TV getting drunk. Drinking by 10 a.m. on the weekends. Just pitiful. I wanted to quit so bad, but couldn't. I always had the shakes, and they wouldn't go away until I had the first cocktail for the evening. Always felt like throwing up in the morning and called off sick or took vacation days just because I felt like crap or was afraid to get through the day at work. Concentrating at the job was a real challenge and downright sucked. I started taking oral naltrexone. It was amazing. Literally, on day 2, the craving virtually disappeared. I couldn't believe it!!"

• Sup...
• January 8, 2017

"I am a member of a support group for a person in their mid-20s recovering from alcohol addiction. The person has been taking monthly Vivitrol injections for about 6 months. The injections have helped the cravings, but not 100%. When the person did consume alcohol (vodka), it produced severe flu-like symptoms that were similar to alcohol withdrawal. Has anyone else suffered these types of symptoms drinking alcohol while on Vivitrol injections?"

• Sla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2022

"Took Vivitrol after coming out of the hospital earlier today. Thinking about having a drink to test it, but when I try to focus on it, my mind automatically changes to something else. This hopefully will be the 2nd greatest decision I ever made. (1st is giving my life to the Son of God, Lord & Savior Jesus Christ). Only 30, & been drinking for about 10+ years. Heavy drinking started 4 years ago. Once had 30 nips in 1 day (didn't get sick), but it was pretty bad. 1.75L bottles finish in 2 days, buying 120 nips that finish in less than 1 week. Spent a lot of $ on liquor. Not worth it for temporary feelings. Lost 3 nice cars, some family, interest in going out. Went through depression, loneliness, boredom, anxiety, and 2 months ago for the 1st time, hallucinating while in the hospital. Thank you, Dr. Joice, for your help, support & understanding. Although I waited in the ER for 2 nights before getting a bed, all was worth it. I'll buy bottles still, but only expensive ones for decorations =D"