​Call 1.855.970.2547, 24/7 to speak to a treatment specialist for free. Get help finding the best treatment options available for yourself or a loved one. Rehab centers, detox centers, inpatient, outpatient programs, therapy, counseling, sober living housing and more. A 5 minute phone call is all it takes to get you the help you need. Get help now. Call: 1.855.970.2547

This is the main objective. And once you realize that you cannot get high on heroin anymore then you give up trying to do so and move on with your recovery.

Vivitrol (Naltexone) is not an opioid drug like suboxone, subutex or methadone. Instead, Vivitrol is a powerful opioid blocker, and that’s it - that’s what it does. It blocks the pleasurable effects of heroin so that you won’t bother trying to use while on the Vivitrol injection. Furthermore, this allows the opioid receptors in the brain to quickly begin to regulate themselves and return back to normal. Vivitrol is not a mind altering drug. It is a non-opioid, non-habit forming drug and is not addictive in any way. 

​Vivitrol is injected intramuscularly (in the buttocks) once a month releasing Naltexone over a 30 day period of time. During that time Naltrexone remains active continuing to block the opioid receptors in the brain from heroin for 30 days while allowing those same receptors to begin to heal/regulate themselves over time.

Vivitrol can be administered by any family doctor in a private setting. However, an experienced Vivitrol doctor who has already administered Vivitrol successfully, is highly recommended. And since Vivitrol is a convenient once-a-month shot, you only have to visit your doctors office one time per month. And for those 30 days after the shot, you don’t have to think about getting high knowing very well that no matter what you do or how much heroin you use, you can’t get high no matter what.

​However, you can die from an overdose. You can try to get high, and some people do, but once you realize that you can’t get high, then the urge to use heroin is discouraged and begins to diminish over time. Vivitrol requires you to make a once-a-month choice. Whereas taking suboxone, subutex or methadone requires a daily choice. But once you get that once-a-month Vivitrol shot then that’s it – you’re good. You can’t use heroin for 30 days so why bother trying. And this new adopted mentality by many Vivitrol patients is what makes Vivitrol an effective tool to battle heroin and opiate addiction. This also gives you time to get counseling and group support therapy while working your recovery plan as well. 
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​Research and statistics show that Vivitrol works very well and is very effective at preventing relapse and reducing cravings for heroin and opiate drugs. If there was ever a drug which significantly reduces the risk of relapse then this is it. And the longer that you’re able to stay clean from heroin then the better your chances will be of staying clean for good. Vivitrol cost $800 to $1,200 per month (per shot). Medicaid and Medicare however can pay for most of the shot. And if you don’t have Medicaid or Medicare then you can apply for either of these health care programs as well.

Some major health insurance companies will pay half, most or all of the costs. Other insurance companies may cover a good portion of the cost leaving you with a low co-pay. Yes, Vivitrol is expensive but can be worth the costs as well. How to get the Vivitrol shot: First, contact your health insurance provider (if you have health insurance) to see if they cover the costs of the Vivitrol shot, and if so, how much of the costs will they cover. You can also find information on a Co-pay Savings Program on the Vivitrol website: ​www.vivitrol.com

If you or a loved one has the cash to pay for the Vivitrol shot then you can pay for it in cash. And the doctor may give you a discount price for cash payments as well. IMPORTANT: Try to find a doctor who has already administered the Vivitrol shot to other patients successfully as these doctors already know the best way to inject the drug and have already dealt with any possible side effects and as such know what to do to help avoid or counteract any negative reactions from the shot. You can find an experienced and recommended Vivitrol doctor on the Vivitrol website: vivitrol.com
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​IMPORTANT: You must be clean from heroin or any opiate drug for 7 to 14 days before receiving that first Vivitrol shot. And you must be clean from suboxone or methadone for 10 to 14 days before taking that first Vivitrol shot, otherwise you can go into serious withdrawals. Once you’ve located a doctor near you, then you can contact them and let them know that you are going to detox first and then come in for the Vivitrol injection within 7 to 10 to 14 days. Then it’s time to detox yourself from heroin and/or all opiate drugs. And there are a few ways to do this as well. 
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Or, you can get on a 3 to 4 day suboxone or subutex taper plan.

​Or, you can check yourself into a medical detox center for 5, 7 to 10 days and then head straight to the Vivitrol doctors office from there. 

​To find a state funded or low cost detox center, contact your national drug addiction referral helpline and ask them for help in finding a detox center near you. If you’re here in the U.S. then you can call SAMHSA, the Government National Substance Abuse Administration office at 1-800-662-4357 and ask them to recommend a detox center near you. Once you’ve been clean for 7 to 10 days from heroin then it’s time to go in for your first Vivitrol shot. ​
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Most doctors will recommend that you stay on the Vivitrol shot for a year while participating in some type of outpatient treatment program such as counseling, therapy, group support meetings etc... The more help you get then the more likely you are to complete a full and successful recovery. ​
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​Vivitrol works! Vivitrol helps greatly. It can help you to stop using heroin and remain clean for good. And if you’re having a hard time staying clean from heroin then you may want to consider getting the Vivitrol 30-Day heroin blocker injection. You can stay on it for as long as you wish or as long as you feel that you need to be on it. And since Vivitrol is a non-addictive drug then you can come off of it at any time without any withdrawals or negative side effects.

​So if you have health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or the funds available to pay for the shot, and this is something that you're sure you want to do, then do it - Get the Vivitrol shot! Find a Vivitrol doctor, get detoxed, and then get the shot! And from there it’s just a matter of time and recovery. Vivitrol has helped many people stay clean, and it can help you too. Good luck my friend.
   
​​Sincerely,
Jorge (George) Fernandez 
Over 20 Years Clean from Heroin 
About Jorge (George) Fernandez
Contact Jorge (George) Fernandez
P.S. Feel free to add me on Facebook

​Call 1.855.970.2547, 24/7 to speak to a treatment specialist for free. Get help finding the best treatment options available for yourself or a loved one. Rehab centers, detox centers, inpatient, outpatient programs, therapy, counseling, sober living housing and more. A 5 minute phone call is all it takes to get you the help you need. Get help now. Call: 1.855.970.2547