Vivitrol, Heroin and Alcoholism

CBS has an interesting article regarding the use of Vivitrol to treat heroin addiction. This is interesting for several reasons – one is that Vivitrol has been used to treat alcoholism for a number of years now. Now, there’s a connection between Vivitrol, heroin and alcoholism. This helps confirm that alcoholism and heroin are likely working on the same parts of the brain. Scientists have found similarities between heroin addicts and alcoholics, and this should advance their knowledge significantly.

Here’s an excerpt:

Vivitrol was first approved to treat alcohol dependence in 2006. Since the FDA approved the injection for opioid dependence in 2010, Alkermes says there are now around 100 programs using it in 30 states. Since its approval, sales have jumped from more than $18 million in 2009 to more than $106 million in the first three quarters of 2015 . While the company said programs in Michigan, Missouri, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio were some of the earliest adopters, it believes Vermont is the only state that has approved it for use statewide.

“It is gratifying to see use of VIVITROL increasing across the country. It has taken time – VIVITROL is a new approach to treating opioid addiction and it requires new behaviors by physicians, counselors, nurses and other elements of the treatment system,” Alkermes CEO Richard Pops said in a statement. “In many ways, the expansion of these programs has been somewhat organic, meaning that the success of one program in a particular county may spur another county to develop their own.”

This article is also interesting because it addresses the current efforts to deal with addiction. Lately, there’s been an increased interest in heroin addiction. Nathan Deal, the governor of Georgia, among many others across the nation, is active in finding treatment solution to the problem of addiction. As stated above, once treatment offerings begin to proliferate, new ideas and treatment techniques will organically arise and maybe, finally, we’ll make great breakthroughs helping addicts find sustainable recovery. It’ll take more than medicine., though — a combination of medical treatment, counseling and behavioral changes can make a huge difference. Pharmacology is a big part of the answer, and the use of Vivitrol looks promising.