Vivitrol and Withdrawal: What Users Say

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2014

For Opioid Use Disorder "Be 100% sure all opiates and methadone are completely out of your system. I had taken 60 mg of methadone 6 days before I got my shot. I told my doctor up front that I am not a chronic methadone user, maybe used it 4-5 times in the span of 2 months when hydrocodone wasn't available. It threw me into the worst withdrawals of my life. I have had severe withdrawals in the past, but this was so very intense unlike anything I've experienced before, for 2 days straight. The doctor said it would be fine at 6 days, but he was wrong. 15 minutes after the injection, I went into full-fledged withdrawal - severe cramps, spasms, fever, vomiting, freezing yet burning up. Make sure it is completely out of your body before you start. If you test positive for methadone, don't take the shot, wait it out."

• Rog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2012

For Opioid Use Disorder "I took my first Vivitrol shot on 7/31/12. Three hours later, I was having the worst withdrawals one could ever imagine. The worst lasted about two days followed by seven days of symptoms like constant anxiety, sleeplessness, muscle spasms, and then three or four days of regular side effects. My doctor told me that I may not have been completely detoxed when I took the shot and that might have been the cause of my extreme reaction. I'm going to get my second shot on 8/31. I feel that without the shot, the possibility of relapse will be greater, so the benefit outweighs the negative side effects. I'll let you know how it turns out."

• Mon...
• August 7, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "So I was on Suboxone for almost 5 years. It helped get my life together but created a barrier for moving forward. I grew stagnant, just doing well enough in life to stay afloat. I kept the mediocre job, the small apartment, and 'ok' life. I'm staying humble through this time. I made the decision to get off the subs and chose Vivitrol. At first, the withdrawals from the subs were bad, then I started getting better. My doctor 'suggested' I get the Vivitrol shot, and I knew that would be a good decision. I didn't want to feel horrible like I did on the subs, I wanted pure sobriety. So I jumped on the idea without hesitation. I'm 2 shots in now, and I feel as though I'm still in withdrawal. I will definitely not be getting another shot. I'm certain it's because of the shot at this point. Over 2 months feeling like this??? I'm writing this hopefully to help someone going through the same thing. If you still feel pain, aches, insomnia, general dissatisfaction with life, it might be the Vivitrol."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2016

For Opioid Use Disorder "Was not given the correct information and was not monitored after injection. I was honest and told the doctor I took Suboxone 6 days before the shot, and he said I would be fine. Well, about 30 minutes after the shot, I started having terrible withdrawals. Sweating, and it felt like my skin was on fire for the entire month. I urinated every 15 minutes. Couldn't sleep and had extreme restless leg syndrome. Constant headache and urinary tract infection to boot. Zero sex drive and a bad mood the whole time. Sought therapy at Calvary House and told all my symptoms. No one cared. At $1,200 each month, why would they?"

• Thr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2016

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was a heavy IV user for 2 years, have been in and out of treatment programs, relapsing every time. My doctor, who was prescribing me subs, told me she had to cut me off because I could not pass a urine analysis. So basically, she started telling me about this shot that she was getting trained on and could give me next week, the Vivitrol shot. She told me I needed to be at least 7 days clean before getting it, otherwise, I would have severe withdrawal. Finally, I manned up, went in to see my doctor, told her I couldn't stay clean and that I had used the previous day, but I wanted her to give me the shot anyway. Got the shot, by the time I got to the car, I was in full-blown precipitated withdrawal. Day 4, feeling better, just can't sleep at all."

• cul...
• October 1, 2015

For Opioid Use Disorder "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."

• Lyn...
• February 21, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I've read all of the reviews, and I'm wondering about people saying the injection is giving them side effects when I think it could be that they are getting withdrawals. The side effects that people are explaining are textbook opiate withdrawal-which, yes, Vivitrol will put you into if you have used anything long-acting within the past 2 weeks. I have been an opiate addict for over 10 years, tapered off of methadone, and got this injection. It is amazing! It will change your life, get you out of the 'hustle,' and it truly is the miracle drug. I'm kind of bummed I can't have my glass of wine on this, but that's the price I pay, and I don't need the calories. Do your own research, people, before you judge (nature of addicts, I suppose). I feel sorry for the few who had a true reaction at the injection site. I didn't even feel mine."

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

For Opioid Use Disorder "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."

• Gee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2017

For Opioid Use Disorder "I had a choice between the Suboxone, which then I wouldn't be able to take my Adderall, or the Vivitrol, which I can take with any meds. So, of course, I did the half-pill test in the Dr.'s office and sat for 15 mins to see if I would have a bad reaction. I was okay, so then we went ahead and did the shot. I was excited to finally get this burden of the opiates that led to Suboxone, then stuck without knowing what to do. I'm done, don't want to live on this anymore... it's not living. I went in and did this shot, and at first, I freaked out when I got home, like my body went into instant withdrawal. My body was spasming, and I was freaked out. My cousin called 911, and they had given me four shots of Ativan on top of two of my 2 mg Klonopin that I barely take."

• Ind...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2021

For Opioid Use Disorder "I received the Vivitrol injection after 12 days of being in a treatment center. I was accidentally sent into early withdrawal on Suboxone and given 2 days of Valium to get through the worst of my withdrawal off of heroin and fentanyl. I spent 7 days at the facility completely sober before getting my injection. While it felt uncomfortable being administered, I have not had any adverse reactions to it, and it's greatly helped with the cravings. I'm a healthy 26-year-old female, and this injection has given me a chance to save my life. I'll only continue it the first 90 days in order to give myself time to begin to feel better and stand on my own. Recovery is possible! It's intense though, so if you're still having reservations about using, avoid it, or it can make you sick."

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2021

"A doctor put me on Klonopin and then I started drinking. After three years, I took the Vivitrol injection. I had not had alcohol or Klonopin for 14 days prior to taking the injection. (No, I don't take opiates.) The 2nd day after, I was in full withdrawal. The 3rd day was horrible too. On the 4th day, my hands are shaking, no appetite, and I feel terrible. I can only hope this passes. No, I do not have any cravings, but I only craved alcohol when I was taking Klonopin. Just took too long for me to figure that out. Has anyone else had withdrawal symptoms after no drugs or alcohol for 14 days prior to the injections?"