Vivitrol Makes Its Way to Strafford County and Drug Rehab Centers in New Hampshire
As of September, New Hampshire has seen 286 drug overdose deaths and has another 89 cases pending test results, says the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In an effort to ease the state’s opioid addiction crisis, drug rehab centers in New Hampshire — including one in Somersworth — are now offering a new medication that treats opioid dependence. This medication, called Vivitrol, or naltrexone, helps opioid addicts overcome dependency by reducing opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
If you are struggling with opioid addiction and live in New Hampshire, understand that help is just a phone call away. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about local drug rehab centers that can help you overcome opioid dependency and addiction.
Vivitrol Use in Strafford County and the U.S.
Vivitrol is being given to opioid addicted inmates at New Hampshire State Prison.
U.S. prisons are currently experimenting with Vivitrol to treat drug offenders who suffer from opioid addiction. New Hampshire State Prison is also using Vivitrol to treat individuals who have completed their sentences and are pending release. At present, opioid addiction affects an estimated 15% of the entire U.S. prison population.
Additionally, an addiction treatment center in Somersworth recently announced it was launching two new treatment initiatives to improve the state’s opioid crisis — medication-assisted therapy and an intensive outpatient program. These treatments are also being implemented in rehab centers across New Hampshire and the rest of the U.S.
Medication-assisted therapy involves the use of Vivitrol along with behavioral counseling to treat opioid dependence and addiction. The rehab center’s intensive outpatient program is ideal for recovering opioid addicts who need ongoing support, counseling, and guidance after having overcome drug dependency. According to Tiffany Burdick, a medical assistant who works in the medication-assisted therapy program at the Somersworth rehab center, says the clinic has about 30 patients, and even offers addiction treatment for the uninsured.
Treating Opioid Addiction at Drug Rehab Centers
Patients who undergo medication-assisted therapy for opioid addiction are injected with a single shot of Vivitrol in the buttocks. The effects of Vivitrol last four weeks, and allow recovering addicts to overcome physical dependency on opioids without suffering intense cravings or withdrawal symptoms. This approach is often more convenient for patients than others, since it eliminates the need to take daily doses of medications like methadone.
After receiving Vivitrol injections, rehab patients undergo therapy sessions with licensed drug and alcohol counselors. These counselors help patients identify behaviors and triggers that led to addiction in the first place, and guide patients through overcoming these behaviors. For instance, veterans who began abusing opioids on behalf of suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder can have both behavioral conditions successfully addressed and treated.
Over time, recovering opioid addicts stop receiving Vivitrol injections, and are able to resume normal, healthy lives following addiction treatment. Vivitrol is just one effective tool rehab centers can use to help addicts overcome opioid abuse.
If you’re suffering from opioid addiction and need help quitting, call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about your rehab options. Our treatment specialists will help you find drug rehab centers in New Hampshire devoted to helping you overcome opioid dependency and addiction.
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