Practice Improvement Materials

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About …… Vivitrol

Vivitrol is an extended–release injectable medication assisted treatment for the disease of alcoholism. The active ingredient in Vivitrol is naltrexone, an opioid antagonist. Administered intramuscularly once a month by a healthcare professional, it reduces the problems often associated with daily medication compliance. In conjunction with psychosocial support, Vivitrol has been shown to reduce drinking days and days of heavy drinking. While generally well tolerated, the most common adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness and injection site reactions. Vivitrol is contraindicated for patients with certain medical conditions, including those taking opiates or in opiate withdrawal. The cost per 380 mg injection is $695. Insurance (if available) may cover the cost of medication. Patients without insurance or financial resources can apply for the Vivitrol patient assistance program.

Source: www.vivitrol.com

Why Vivitrol?

The Network for Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx) identifies understanding the customer as the first step in its process improvement model. One great way to do this is to survey the customer. River Region Human Services did just that! In a recorded interview with the first client admitted to the Vivitrol protocol at River Region, Renee Hellen, Director of Outpatient and Methadone Services, learns first hand how counseling in conjunction with Vivitrol is making a difference in one persons life: “It’s an added tool that I felt I needed to stop drinking. And its working.”

Listen to the interview [1.3K WAV file]

SAMHSA Launches Searchable Database of Evidence-Based Practices in Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

The National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) is a searchable online registry of mental health and substance abuse interventions that have been reviewed and rated by independent reviewers.

The purpose of this registry is to assist the public in identifying approaches to preventing and treating mental and/or substance use disorders that have been scientifically tested and that can be readily disseminated to the field. NREPP is one way that SAMHSA is working to improve access to information on tested interventions and thereby reduce the lag time between the creation of scientific knowledge and its practical application in the field.

NREPP is a new registry and currently has several dozen reviewed interventions. New intervention summaries are continually being added as reviews are completed. The registry is expected to grow to a large number of interventions over the coming months and years. Please check back regularly to access the latest updates.

Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much