Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Dependence

Are you dependent on alcohol?

Alcohol dependence is more complicated than "heavy drinking." The following are some signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence.

  • An ability to tolerate large amounts of alcohol before becoming intoxicated (drunk)
  • A feeling of withdrawal, or feeling like you cannot cope without alcohol when you try to quit or cut down use
  • Not being able to control yourself and repeatedly drinking more alcohol than you intended
  • Spending a large amount of your time drinking
  • Giving up or avoiding important social or recreational activities and work due to drinking
  • Continuing to drink even when it causes you to have personal or physical problems

Not every dependent person will have all of these signs or symptoms, but if you are concerned that you may have a dependence on alcohol, a medical professional may be able to help you.

What caregivers should know

If you are a friend or family member of someone who is dependent on alcohol, it's important to be aware of your loved one's behavior. Be sure that your loved one is seeing his or her counselor on a regular basis. Treatment of alcohol dependency with VIVITROL may be an option. Learn more about patient safety information while on VIVITROL.

For more information on alcohol or opioid dependence, including treatment options, please talk with a doctor or healthcare provider. Find a treatment provider here to learn more.

How does VIVITROL work?

Laboratory studies suggest:

  • VIVITROL may prevent the excessive release of dopamine, a brain chemical that sends pleasure signals
  • It is believed that this is how VIVITROL may block the reward of alcohol
  • It is not exactly known how VIVITROL works in alcohol dependent patients

VIVITROL:

  • Does not replace, or act as a substitute for alcohol
  • Is not pleasure producing
  • Is not addictive (ie, does not lead to physical dependence)

VIVITROL may not work for everyone. VIVITROL has not been studied in children under the age of 18 years.

What Is VIVITROL?

VIVITROL is a prescription injectable medicine used:

  • To prevent relapse to opioid dependence, after opioid detox
  • To treat alcohol dependence (alcoholism)

To be effective, VIVITROL must be used along with recovery programs, such as counseling.

If you take opioids or opioid-containing medication, such as prescription pain medications or street drugs, you must stop these for 7-10 days before starting VIVITROL.

You should stop drinking before starting VIVITROL.

SEE MORE SAfety information below

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WHAT IS VIVITROL?

VIVITROL® (naltrexone for extended-release suspension) is a prescription injectable medicine used to treat alcohol dependence, and to prevent relapse to opioid dependence, after opioid detoxification. You should stop drinking before starting VIVITROL. To be effective, treatment with VIVITROL must be used along with other alcoholism or drug recovery programs such as counseling. VIVITROL may not work for everyone. VIVITROL has not been studied in children under the age of 18 years.

WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE VIVITROL?

Do not take VIVITROL if you are using or have physical dependence on opioid street drugs, such as heroin, or opioid-containing medicine, such as prescription pain medicine. You must not take opioid-containing medicines or opioid street drugs for 7-10 days before you start taking VIVITROL. You should not take VIVITROL if you have opioid withdrawal symptoms or are allergic to VIVITROL or any of the ingredients in the liquid used to mix VIVITROL (diluent). Click here to read the full medication guide to find out more about opioid withdrawal symptoms and to see a complete list of ingredients in VIVITROL and the diluent.

SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS

SEVERE REACTIONS AT THE SITE OF INJECTION

Some people on VIVITROL treatment have had severe reactions at the site of injection (injection site reactions), including tissue death (necrosis). Some of these injection site reactions have required surgery. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following things happen at your injection site: intense pain, the area feels hard, large area of swelling, lumps, blisters, an open wound or dark scab.

LIVER DAMAGE OR HEPATITIS

Naltrexone, the active ingredient in VIVITROL, can cause liver damage (including liver failure) or hepatitis, if you take more than the recommended dose. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems during treatment with VIVITROL: stomach area pain lasting more than a few days, dark urine, yellowing of the whites of your eyes, or tiredness. Your doctor may need to stop treating you with VIVITROL if you get signs or symptoms of a serious problem.

RISK OF OPIOID OVERDOSE

If you have used opioid-containing medicines or opioid street drugs in the past, you may be more sensitive to lower doses of opioids after VIVITROL treatment stops, when your next VIVITROL dose is due or if you miss a dose of VIVITROL. Using opioids in amounts you used before treatment with VIVITROL can lead to overdose and death. You may not feel the usual effects if you use or abuse heroin and other illegal (street) drugs while on VIVITROL. Do not take large amounts of opioids, including opioid-containing medicines, such as prescription pain pills, or heroin, to overcome effects of VIVITROL. This can lead to overdose including serious injury, coma, or death. You may not feel the usual effects of opioid-containing medicines including medicines for pain, cough and diarrhea while on VIVITROL. It is important that you tell your family and the people closest to you of this increased sensitivity to opioids and the risk of overdose. You or someone close to you should get emergency medical help right away if you: have trouble breathing; become very drowsy with slowed breathing; have slow, shallow breathing (little chest movement with breathing); feel faint, very dizzy, or have unusual symptoms.

SEVERE ALLERGIC PNEUMONIA

Some people on VIVITROL treatment have had severe allergic pneumonia. Call your doctor right away if you experience shortness of breath or coughing that does not go away. You may need to go to the hospital for treatment with antibiotic and steroid medicines.

SERIOUS ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Serious allergic reactions can happen during or soon after an injection of VIVITROL. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: skin rash, swelling of your face, mouth or tongue, trouble breathing or wheezing, chest pain, feeling dizzy or faint.

OTHER POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

VIVITROL can cause other serious side effects, such as depressed mood that can sometimes lead to suicide, suicidal thoughts and suicidal behavior. You should tell your family members and the people closest to you if you are taking VIVITROL. Call your doctor right away if you experience signs of depression. Click here to find out more about some symptoms of depression.

Common side effects of VIVITROL include nausea, tiredness, headache, vomiting, decreased appetite, painful joints and muscle cramps. In addition, common side effects in people taking VIVITROL for opioid dependence also include cold symptoms, trouble sleeping, and toothache.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call
1-800-FDA-1088.

Click Here For Full Medication Guide


VIV-001059

The Provider Locator is compiled and published by Alkermes, Inc. as a reference source of demographic and professional information on individual licensed healthcare providers in the United States who have experience in the treatment of alcohol dependence and/or opioid dependence. The Provider Locator is searchable by zip code or by city and state. Healthcare providers' enrollment and participation in the Provider Locator is voluntary and free of charge and, along with the provider-specific information in the Provider Locator, is based solely on healthcare provider responses. The Provider Locator is provided by Alkermes for use by the medical and addiction treatment communities, potential patients and/or their families in order to find information on, and locate healthcare providers for the treatment of alcohol dependence or opioid dependence. Alkermes is not responsible for, and the Provider Locator is not intended as a tool for, verifying the credentials, expertise, abilities or quality of care of any healthcare provider included in the Provider Locator. Inclusion in the Provider Locator does not imply referral, recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Locator imply Alkermes' disapproval. We recommend that, before scheduling an appointment to see any healthcare provider, you research the credentials of the healthcare provider and satisfy yourself that the healthcare provider provides the quality of care desired. You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Locator or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever. The information from the Provider Locator is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. Alkermes disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, Alkermes does not warrant or represent that the Provider Locator or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any healthcare provider you contact through the Provider Locator. Alkermes shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information.