Vivitrol and Depression: What Users Say

• Pal...
• March 9, 2019

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I've struggled with alcoholism for 10 years. Vivitrol was suggested before but I couldn't afford it. I was able to find a clinic that got a federal grant for Vivitrol. The first 4-5 days I was tired, leg cramps up through my buttocks (felt like the flu), hip and ankle pain, irritable, sad, nauseous. Side effects eventually went away after 1 week. Cravings have been minimal to non-existent. Yesterday I was irritable; had a bad day at work which triggered me. Decided what the hell and see if the drug really did take away that feel-good feeling. I drank about half the amount I usually do and it didn't do anything other than the physical side effects. I ended up pouring the rest out and went to bed. This is a miracle! I am so grateful! Looking forward to continuing using it for this year while I complete my 12 steps in the AA program so I will not only be physically healthy, but mentally and spiritually too! THANK YOU VIVITROL AND THANK YOU TO MY CLINIC AND GRANT MONEY!"

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

For Alcohol Use Disorder "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

For Alcohol Use Disorder "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

For Alcohol Use Disorder "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."

• ELM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "I've been incarcerated for 47 months, and the treatment center I am going to for outpatient pushed the drug on me, said it would be a safety net for me. I got the shot today at 9 a.m., and I have been depressed, having horrible anxiety all day, no motivation. As one guy said, it felt like he was in a dream, and that is exactly how I feel. None of these side effects were explained to me at all. I'm so upset with myself for taking this. These rehabs get $ for pushing drugs like Vivitrol and Suboxone. I would not recommend this to anyone at all!! If this goes on for 28 days, I'm going to lose my mind, and no - these side effects are not me going through withdrawals or PAWS (Post-acute withdrawal syndrome). I'VE BEEN CLEAN 47 MONTHS!!!"

• ELM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "I've been incarcerated for 47 months, and the treatment center I am going to for outpatient pushed the drug on me, said it would be a safety net for me. I got the shot today at 9 a.m., and I have been depressed, having horrible anxiety all day, no motivation. As one guy said, it felt like he was in a dream, and that is exactly how I feel. None of these side effects were explained to me at all. I'm so upset with myself for taking this. These rehabs get $ for pushing drugs like Vivitrol and Suboxone. I would not recommend this to anyone at all!! If this goes on for 28 days, I'm going to lose my mind, and no - these side effects are not me going through withdrawals or PAWS (Post-acute withdrawal syndrome). I'VE BEEN CLEAN 47 MONTHS!!!"

• Max...
• August 20, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "Vivitrol is a lifesaver for sure, but the mental aspects, such as the depression, lethargy, lack of motivation, and gastro problems, are all really side effects. But I was so depressed and lethargic from the shot I couldn't bear to stay on it any longer than a month. By day 25, the Vivitrol depression was lifting, and I started to feel normal again. You have to weigh the pros and cons of the shot. Nobody talks about how Vivitrol blocks the heroin from entering your opiate receptors, but it also blocks the natural production of serotonin and dopamine from entering these receptors as well. Vivitrol cannot differentiate between the two. It's a proven fact, and I know from experience. But the makers of the shot don't want you to know this. In the end, I have a love-hate relationship with Vivitrol. It gave me the time to heal, but the depression and lethargy the shot causes I wouldn't wish on everyone."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2017

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was addicted to opiates for 4 years before this shot. I finally feel like I'm not living a double life anymore! I was homeless within 6 months of first becoming dependent on heroin (IV from the start), and I've wanted to stop ever since. Willpower alone is not enough! I've tried every way on my own, but now, with Vivitrol, I can be confident in my recovery. It's closing in on the end of my first month on it. It has caused some stomach cramps, loss of appetite, lack of sleep, anhedonia, and slight depression. The best comparison would be the feeling when you first start to feel withdrawal setting in. My craving levels were eliminated after administration, however, toward the end of the month, I'm feeling them more."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2017

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was addicted to opiates for 4 years before this shot. I finally feel like I'm not living a double life anymore! I was homeless within 6 months of first becoming dependent on heroin (IV from the start), and I've wanted to stop ever since. Willpower alone is not enough! I've tried every way on my own, but now, with Vivitrol, I can be confident in my recovery. It's closing in on the end of my first month on it. It has caused some stomach cramps, loss of appetite, lack of sleep, anhedonia, and slight depression. The best comparison would be the feeling when you first start to feel withdrawal setting in. My craving levels were eliminated after administration, however, toward the end of the month, I'm feeling them more."

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

For Alcohol Use Disorder "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."

• G54...
• June 23, 2017

For Opioid Use Disorder "I had 10 months clean after being a heavy IV opioid user for years, I decided to stop on my last case, which also prompted me to drug court. Well, the judge, for some reason, put me on Vivitrol, even with all the clean time and program compliance. To summarize, I had planned to exercise and live healthy, and that is what was pushing me to stay clean. After getting the shot, I felt empty, confused, depressed, no drive, no motivation, no hunger, crippled libido, didn't care much about music, movies, or anything for that matter, exercising was torture. I asked the doctor if it would mess with my endogenous reward system twice, and both times he evaded my question. Seek recovery with healthy means, develop skills to stay clean, don't go be a lab rat for big pharma... go to inpatient."

• G54...
• June 23, 2017

For Opioid Use Disorder "I had 10 months clean after being a heavy IV opioid user for years, I decided to stop on my last case, which also prompted me to drug court. Well, the judge, for some reason, put me on Vivitrol, even with all the clean time and program compliance. To summarize, I had planned to exercise and live healthy, and that is what was pushing me to stay clean. After getting the shot, I felt empty, confused, depressed, no drive, no motivation, no hunger, crippled libido, didn't care much about music, movies, or anything for that matter, exercising was torture. I asked the doctor if it would mess with my endogenous reward system twice, and both times he evaded my question. Seek recovery with healthy means, develop skills to stay clean, don't go be a lab rat for big pharma... go to inpatient."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "I've only gotten the shot twice, February and March 2020, and I'm not sure what to think. It's good, as a heroin addict, you know you can't get high, so don't even try, 'cause it will just annoy you. But the cravings are still the same as without it, and the migraines every day and nausea are terrible. My sex drive went from very healthy to not wanting to touch my husband of 11 years, and that's not like me at all! And let's talk about the depression - I've never been so depressed in my life, and I already have depression, but it got so bad I would just lay in bed and cry. I didn't realize it had anything to do with the shot until I read more about it and what people have said. I thought something was seriously wrong with me. It's getting better now due to me not having got my dose this month due to COVID-19 and my insurance... but I don't think I'm going to do it again..."

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

For Opioid Use Disorder "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."

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

For Opioid Use Disorder "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."

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

For Alcohol Use Disorder "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."

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

For Alcohol Use Disorder "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."

• Anonymous
• November 25, 2016

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I think my experience with the clinic may be coloring my opinion of Vivitrol. As far as I know, it does work to curb cravings-I haven't had any to speak of in the 6 months I've been getting the injections. OTOH, I've noticed that my depression gets significantly worse for a few days after each injection, then it eases up to my normal low (someday I hope to feel actual happiness again). My problem is with the clinic and the hour-plus wait times. I'm clean. I'm in therapy. I go to AA meetings daily. I have a strong support system in place. But I'm thinking of discontinuing because I don't have 2.5 hours to spare every time I have an appointment (commute to clinic, time at clinic, commute to work)."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2021

For Alcohol Use Disorder "This medication worked immediately! As in same day immediately! If you have the desire to reclaim your life from alcohol, get the injection! Sing a song, phone a friend...something to occupy your mind when they administer the needle. It hurt, but more like a bee sting as opposed to “hurt like hell.” You will survive! For some reason, the first day I was extremely emotional (rage + depressed), it went away the next day! Once your head is clear, listen to your soul for what to do next. Getting to the root of the trauma is necessary for total healing! Grace & Peace! Hope this helps!"

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

For Opioid Use Disorder "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."

• Bay...
• June 17, 2021

For Opioid Use Disorder "Took the injection after medical opiate detox. Instantly, I was puking and having horrible diarrhea. Things remained horrible. Couldn’t eat for 5 days. Constant severe blood pressure increase. I “thought” it was due to detox, but now I know that I am allergic to this injection. I immediately had to go on high doses of blood pressure meds in order to not have a heart attack or stroke. The symptoms are still here 25 days after injection. Night sweats, insomnia, severe depression. This was the worst decision I have ever made. And life threatening. Pulled medical records past 5 years, never had high blood pressure. I paid $30K to go to the best medically induced opiate detox, then stay at a million dollar home with staff. I had to stay 3 extra days while others would leave completely fine 4 days earlier. I was the sickest I have ever been. In one week, lost 26 lbs, no sleep, high blood pressure, extreme fatigue. I'm just praying all these horrific side effects go away soon. Absolute worst decision I’ve made."

• Max...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2018

For Opioid Use Disorder "My problem is I don't want the sick, irritable, and withdrawing feeling at all. I can't handle it. I have beat IV version use several times, but didn't last long. Any suggestions."