Brookside Institute’s Vivitrol ™ Level of Care

Brookside Institute, through our Brookside Recovery Protocol™ now provides Vivitrol™ for the treatment of alcohol addiction.

Vivitrol™ (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension), the first and only once-monthly injectable medication for alcohol dependence, is now available in the United States. Vivitrol™ is indicated for patients who are able to abstain from drinking in an outpatient setting and are not actively drinking when initiating treatment. Vivitrol™ should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment management program, which includes individual and group therapy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vivitrol™ in April 2006. In clinical studies, those treated with Vivitrol™ demonstrated a greater reduction in the number of heavy drinking days than those treated with placebo. In a subset of patients who abstained from drinking in the week prior to receiving their first dose of medication, those treated with Vivitrol™ 380 mg were more likely to maintain complete abstinence (without relapse) and showed a greater reduction in heavy drinking, as well as a greater reduction in heavy drinking days, compared to the placebo-treated group over the six- month treatment period.

For those addicted to alcohol, the persistence of cravings following successful detoxification has led to chronic relapse issues. The vital first few months of recovery are plagued by faltering and failure in too many instances. Anti-craving medications like Vivitrol™ can play a critical part of treatment for long-term recovery. Successful treatment of alcoholism with anti-craving medications requires the patient to consistently take his or her medication. With Vivitrol™, the medication is taken once a month instead of every day.

The Brookside Recovery Protocol™: Vivitrol™ Level of Care combines monthly injections of Vivitrol™ with a comprehensive treatment program for alcoholism, which includes a full medical examination and psychological assessment, individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, the latest in non-invasive neurodevelopment therapies, random drug screening and other court ordered reporting and procedures.

Vivitrol™ is a trademark of Cephalon, Inc.