Vivitrol for Opioid Use Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Non...
• January 24, 2020

"The first day on Vivitrol, I felt only what I could describe as peace. But then, the insomnia kicked in. I was all stretchy constantly, which was not really that big of a deal. But you know what was a big deal? The sexual malaise, or complete decimation of my libido. At first, I orgasmed extremely quick, then no orgasms no matter how hard I tried. It was hard on my relationship. If I wanted to not feel, I would have stayed on dope. The second side effect I have is this: it's been just about 30 days, and ALL I want to do now is eat. I guess this is because my receptors can take dopamine again? The food is just SO amazing I am pretty much obsessed with it. I am actually grateful to have had the thirty days to start creating new habits of not using. The most messed up thing is that trying to ask healthcare providers about these side effects (very specifically) elicited such evasive answers and denial of the facts that are clearly on Vivitrol's own website."

• C A...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2019

"I was using heroin for years, and it seemed impossible to get clean. Rehab, methadone, suboxone, cold turkey, but I always messed up. My doctor gave me some meds to help with the withdrawal, and once the withdrawal was over, for the Vivitrol injection. I've been clean for over 4 months now. I have no craving to use. It saved my life. I get some bad discomfort from the shot, limp for a few days because the muscle hurts so bad, along with tooth pain and a weird sleepiness the first few days after the shot. But the side effects are worth it."

• AyG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2019

"I’m having an amazing experience with Vivitrol. I was an opiate addict for almost 15 years. Methadone and Suboxone/Subutex didn’t help me at all. My cravings on those drugs were still out of control, and I still couldn’t stop using. I got almost 2 years clean in a 12-step program, then had a year-long relapse. After detox, I started Vivitrol and rejoined the 12-step community, and I’m doing great. I’ve had no cravings, and pairing recovery with Vivitrol, I’ve had no obsession to use. No side effects either. My mood is fine, no injection site problem, just slightly sore the first day. Also, unlike methadone or Suboxone, Vivitrol is 12-step friendly. Hope this helps someone."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2019

"It doesn’t stop cravings at all, it just helps due to the fact you know you cannot get the high that you are looking for from opiates while on the Vivitrol shot. But the shot did not help my cravings at all, personally, I still even had drug dreams and thoughts, but still obsessed over the thought of getting high every single day."

• Spe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 13, 2019

"Heroin addict for over 10 years. Got on the shot. 100% blocks heroin, also blocked cocaine for me even though most people say it won't. Took ecstasy once with it and had a severely bad reaction. Still could drink alcohol and smoke pot normally. Did 1 year on the shot, and after the first 2 months, stopped trying to find my way around the block. Physically, it kept me sober, but mentally I am still just as much of a junkie. I have been off the dang shot for 7 weeks now, and it is still in my system! I still can't catch a buzz off dope, this stuff takes away freedom of choice, but hey, that's what we wanted, right?"

• Tbi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2018

"Was on Suboxone for years and tampered with it to be able to use heroin consistently. Have been off heroin for 10 months and Suboxone for 6. Got onto Vivitrol 6 months ago, and at first felt like garbage. Thought it was the Vivitrol because I always felt fine taking Suboxone, but in reality, it was my body adjusting to being without an opioid. After 2 months, I started feeling better. Forcing myself to exercise has helped a ton. Now when I get my Vivitrol shot, I feel a little lethargic and unmotivated for the first few days, but it goes away. Honestly, worth the annoyance for saving a life."

• Boo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2018

"So was on the Vivitrol shot for 5 months, and while it did help with cravings, I had extreme nausea every time I woke up. I work swing shift, so I wake up at night sometimes and mornings sometimes, but no matter when I woke up, I felt sick and tried to fight throwing up. Loss of appetite caused me to lose 25 lbs over 5 months. It was hard, but I'm glad I did it and made it through. Been off of it for a month now and finally starting to feel normal again when I wake up. No more throwing up for me. Stay clean, my friends ✌"

• DaB...
• July 16, 2017

"I'm planning to be put in 17 days in residential treatment and follow it up with a Vivitrol injection. I just worry because I hear that it's incredibly painful, but I am only really trying to get away from the subs... I'm down to less than 6 mg but I've been IV'ing them. I still wouldn't think my bupe dose is high enough to worry about after 15 - 17 days... A friend did tell me that if you are clean enough to be eligible for it, it will make you feel like a million bucks! I'm extremely hopeful and was hoping for some insight and/or advice, but I believe this is an awesome chance to get my life back, even though I am afraid of the sword length rig they use to do it... I just hope it all goes as well as planned, or better... #VeryAnxiousNow"

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2017

"I just completed a short-term rehab and received the Vivitrol shot 3 days ago. I had no side effects whatsoever. It's very important that people wait at least 10 to 14 days off of any substance before receiving the shot. I got my shot on my 14th day clean. I feel amazing. Not craving heroin at all. I also started an antidepressant a few weeks ago, so I'm sure that probably has a lot to do with me feeling good and being clean, of course. I recommend people try the shot. What do you have to lose? If you're serious about quitting, this is perfect for you."

• MyT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2017

"This shot is saving my life. The first 5 days after injection were difficult due to side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches), but they have since dissipated. I no longer feel any effects and have been clean from IV heroin for 29 days. I highly suggest this shot for anybody looking to stay off of opiates."

• cak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2017

"Was the sickest I have ever even been in my nightmares! Not fun - don't get a habit, and I feel like it does nothing for cravings. It's just like, oh, I can't because it won't do anything, but that doesn't mean anything if your urge to use is still there. I had a heavy heroin addiction before I got shot, worst withdrawals of my life! Worse than methadone, Suboxone, and heroin mixed into one times ten tough stuff. Each is own. If you are serious about getting off the shit, this is one way. Good luck."

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2018

"I had it twice. First time worked great. Second time got shot when wasn't completely clean, put me in the hospital, but woke up 2 days later and felt like a million bucks and felt like I'd been clean for a long time, no cravings, had all my energy back. And I could eat again, had my appetite back. Saved my life."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2020

"I got the shot after coming off subs, and within 3 hours, I was sick as a dog. I foolishly took a half of a sub, thinking it would stop the detox, only for it to make it worse. The doctor gave me some bullshit meds for being nauseous and said, 'Don't do that again.' I've been sick in bed for 4 whole days. I'm never doing this shot again. I begged them to reverse it, but they can't. Here's to an awful month."

• JTD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 1, 2022

"Was on Vivitrol for over a year. Unfortunately, I am still detoxing 18 months later. You know how when you are coming off opiates, you sneeze in sets of 5, then four, etc.? Well, 18 months later, there are still more than trace amounts of Vivitrol in my system and still sneezing in sets of four. Haven't felt right since discontinuing. I would strongly urge anyone thinking about using Vivitrol to rethink their game plan."

• Sel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2017

"I have been an opiate user for 15 years, and yes, they were prescribed, and yes, I still abused them. I first got off of OxyContin by using Suboxone, which I bought off the streets. Sooo, I decided to try this miracle injection. I have NEVER been so miserable in my life. I don't know what's in this injection, but I've been sick for 5 days. I will wait for this drug to wear off and go back to the subs. Thanks for letting me vent."

• Ano...
• October 31, 2019

"Vivitrol, a great medication that takes away those creepy, crawling cravings after detox. It is not addictive, and it has no withdrawals, which for me is one of the best qualities of this drug. The only thing is you need to know when to take it. For me, taking it after a rapid detox like the Waismann method is really the best way. But anyway, you can get detoxed and stay off drugs, it's worth it."

• ove...
• February 10, 2018

"I am on day 16 of withdrawal from opiates and had a phone, I have snorted them for the last year but have been on some kind of pain med for 15 years. I have ruined my life, my kids' lives, my numerous husbands' lives, and my parents'. I am waiting to have the Vivitrol shot. I am only waiting for test results showing I am free of opioids. I'm counting on this shot to work. Someone please offer some hope if you have it."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2018

"I was an addict for 20 years. Mainly opiates. I decided to seek help and got into a mat program that provides Vivitrol injections for free and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). That's awesome and everything because I've been wanting to be on Vivitrol for at least a year, but I didn't think it was possible because I didn't have insurance. So I went through the whole withdrawal process because you have to be clean to get the shot, and then when I got the shot, I thought everything was going to be great. I was wrong. The first five days I could not eat or sleep. After that, I have been feeling a lot better, but my anxiety has been through the roof. And the injection site still hurts sometimes, even after 3 weeks. Next week I'm due to get my second shot, and I'm hoping it will be better. It kind of seemed like I was on chemo because the first 5 days after the shot had such terrible side effects."

• Mik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 27, 2019

"I hate this stuff. I have to take it because of my sober living house. I've been on it for six months, and I'm always sick off it, in and out of the hospital. It's killing my social life and affecting me at work. It gives me the worst headache ever. I feel like I cannot function or do anything. It makes me vomit all the time and have a constant migraine."

• Liz...
• August 29, 2019

"I have been an opiate addict for years. I was on OxyContin when I was younger, went to rehab and got clean for 10 years. I relapsed five years ago and got in horrible shape. I was using Roxys and Opanas IV. I went to rehab and a halfway house for about six months. However, I was already using again in the halfway house. I just got the Vivitrol shot about a week ago, but I am still craving. I don’t want to be this way, but I don’t know what to do. Does the shot get better at helping cravings? If not, I don’t know that I will get it again."

• JJ ...
• September 27, 2015

"I am on day 2 of the Vivitrol shot. I was an Oxy/alcohol user for 3 years and then switched to Suboxone, detoxed off the subs at 1/4 mg/2 mg films. Withdrawals off 1/4 mg were pure hell. I got the Vivitrol shot, and now I haven't slept in 2 days, only 3-4 hours a night. My alcohol cravings aren't as bad, but I still want a beer. My Oxy cravings are gone. I don't hurt or feel restless from the sub withdrawals. I tried taking melatonin to sleep, but it doesn't help. If this sleep pattern persists, I am not getting the shot next month."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 24, 2018

"I had to stop my injections because of bad skin reactions, pain at the injection site, hematoma at the injection site, hard lump (which is still there now) at the site. My doctor said I can’t do it anymore. I have to take Naltrexone pills. I’m worried that all I have to do to get high again is not take the pills again. One day at a time, I guess."

• Lau...
• April 23, 2019

"While on the shot, I had extreme fatigue and couldn't orgasm. Those aren't horrible, except the orgasm part. It's getting off the shot that has given me constant headaches that nothing touches, extreme anxiety, and irritability. I feel crazy, my mental health is not right. This is not my first rodeo, I was sober for 15 months through AA before I relapsed and got on the shot after a treatment center. This is not normal for me, and the only thing that's different in my life is I was on the shot and now I'm not. I recommend it for someone struggling, being sober is better than dying from the disease. Though the way I have been feeling could have easily made me go change the bad way I feel if I didn't have the support I do."

• Pab...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 10, 2019

"I've been on and off of naltrexone since 2011, and I have mixed feelings about medicated assistance. It has helped me stay clean for 30 months this time around, but I attend meetings and really want to stay clean. Vivitrol only acts as a buffer if I do get thoughts of getting high now. I plan on taking Vivitrol until my insurance will not cover it anymore. I have had precipitated withdrawal from it before many years ago when the obsession to get high was greater than my desire to stay sober. If you have any inkling of getting high, this drug is not for you. It was the worst form of detox there is."

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2022

"Getting the Vivitrol shot was the worst thing that could have happened to me. Before getting the Vivitrol shot, I was two years sober from opiates and thought I was ready to get off and stay off Suboxone. I was wrong. After getting the Vivitrol shot, I became severely depressed. The most depressed I’ve ever been in years, and as the month went on, it got worse. On top of that, it didn’t help whatsoever with my cravings. If anything, my cravings returned after being gone for two years. I hear Vivitrol helps a lot of people, but I’m one of those people it didn’t. The severe depression caused me to relapse after 2 years sober towards the end of the month once the shot wore off. Now I’m back to day one and getting back on Suboxone and going to rehab. Just know depression is one of the main side effects of Vivitrol. Be careful."