Medication assisted treatment

Vivitrol is the injectable form of naltrexone, which cuts cravings for opioids and alcohol. (Hillman/Alaska Public Media)

Methadone, Suboxone, and Vivitrol are all different types of drugs used to treat opioid addictions. But what do those medications actually do? How effective are they? Are they a solution for solving Alaska’s addiction crisis?

Listen Now

HOST: Anne Hillman

GUESTS:

Other resources:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Pew Charitable Trusts MAT Fact Sheet

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LIVE Broadcast: Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. on APRN stations statewide.

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NOTE: During the program, the host mistakenly said that Vivitrol can cause a person to feel ill if they drink when on the medication. Nurse Practioner Jyll Green, who administers Vivitrol, said it does not, but a person using the medication does not want to drink. If a person is a heavy drinker, Vivitrol can cause the person to feel withdrawal symptoms. Antabuse, a medication used to treat alcohol addictions, will cause a person to feel ill when drinking.

a portrait of a woman outside

Anne Hillman is the healthy communities editor at Alaska Public Media and a host of Hometown, Alaska. Reach her atahillman@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Annehere.

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