We accept most insurance plans and provide convenient Telehealth services across Los Angeles and Burbank
Vivitrol treatment in Burbank uses naltrexone to help adults with alcohol or opioid use disorder cut back or stop. It comes as a monthly shot or a daily pill, and it is not an opioid, so there is no risk of misuse. Our board-certified providers accept most major insurance plans and offer in-office and telehealth visits.
Naltrexone is a medicine that blocks the effect of opioids and lowers the urge to drink. It is not a controlled substance and cannot be misused. It comes two ways. The first is a daily pill. The second is Vivitrol, a long-acting shot a provider gives you once a month. Vivitrol is simply naltrexone in a form that lasts about four weeks. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) lists naltrexone as a standard treatment for both conditions. It is part of our broader medication-assisted treatment program.
Yes. This is what sets naltrexone apart. For alcohol use disorder, it may help lower cravings and reduce heavy drinking, so a slip does not turn into a full return. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recognizes it as an approved option. For opioid use disorder, it blocks the receptors opioids act on, so using does not produce the same effect. One medicine, two uses.
This is the most important safety point. You must be fully off all opioids for 7 to 10 days before your first dose of naltrexone or Vivitrol. Starting too soon can bring on sudden, severe withdrawal. If you are still using opioids or are early in recovery, a different medicine may fit better. Many patients start on Suboxone in Burbank first, then consider naltrexone later. Your provider checks that the timing is safe before you begin.
The daily pill gives you flexibility and is easy to stop if needed. It works well for people who keep a steady routine. Vivitrol, the monthly shot, removes the need to remember a daily pill and keeps the medicine at a steady level all month. It suits people who want fewer daily decisions or who found daily dosing hard to maintain. Your provider helps you weigh both and pick the one that fits your life.
A provider gives Vivitrol as a shot in the muscle, usually once a month in our office. The visit takes only a few minutes. Side effects are often mild and may include soreness at the shot site, nausea, headache, or tiredness, and these tend to ease with time. Because naltrexone blocks opioids, carry a medical alert note so any emergency team knows, since standard opioid pain relief may not work while you are on it. We review all of this with you.
Most major insurance plans cover Vivitrol and naltrexone. Our Burbank practice accepts Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare, and we verify your benefits before your first dose. If you do not have coverage, ask about our self-pay options. You will always know the cost before care begins.
Start with a full evaluation. We review your health history, your goals, and how long you have been off opioids if that applies. We confirm the timing is safe, check what your insurance covers, and plan your first dose with you. Call us at 747-777-7047 or request an appointment online. You can also explore our full addiction treatment services in Burbank.
No. Vivitrol is naltrexone, which blocks opioids rather than acting like one. It is not a controlled substance and carries no risk of misuse or dependence.
For many people, yes. Naltrexone may lower alcohol cravings and reduce heavy drinking days. It works best alongside counseling and regular check-ins, which we provide as a psychiatric practice.
The medicine blocks the effect, so trying to use will not produce a high. Taking large amounts to override it is dangerous and can lead to overdose. Talk with your provider about any cravings so we can help.
There is no set length. Some people use it for several months, others longer. You and your provider decide together based on how you feel and your goals.
Yes, but the timing must be right. You need to be off buprenorphine long enough to avoid withdrawal before the first naltrexone dose. Your provider guides this transition step by step.
Wondering how well it works for drinking? Read our guide on naltrexone for alcohol cravings and what the evidence says.
Medically reviewed by Knarik Oganesyan, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC (MATE-certified). Last updated July 18, 2026.
No. Vivitrol is naltrexone, which is non-opioid and non-addictive. It works differently from Suboxone or Sublocade and does not cause dependence.
Yes. Vivitrol may help support recovery from both alcohol and opioid use disorder. For opioid use, you need to be off opioids for a set time before starting, which your provider explains.
Vivitrol is given as one injection about every four weeks in our Burbank office. Your provider sets the schedule and checks your progress at each visit. Call 747-777-7047 to schedule your consultation.