Opioids Question about Vivitrol Shot Necessity/Effects in Outpatient Detox Research Program

[Masemase]

Hi - so I have been on and off with oxycodone addiction for almost 10 years, having went through two separate suboxone detoxes that lasted a couple of months before I started again on the oxycodone 2 years ago, taking about 10mg or so total a day, split up into 3-4 doses.

Recently, I decided that I wanted to get off of it for good and researched local detox programs (after looking on this forum for advice on whether to go CT or Suboxone route and deciding on the former) I found an outpatient research study being conducted at Columbia university.

The study is to gauge the effectiveness of an outpatient course of LUCEMYRA (also called lofexidine) (the main drug being studied) to reduce withdrawals in a "remote" outpatient setting. I am also given klonapin and ambien for symptoms during the detox. At the end of the course of the detox (7-10 days) they administer a vivitrol shot and then another 4 weeks after that.

They said I should come in "comfortable" (ie not withdrawing) but that any bit of tapering leading up to it would be helpful. So the couple of days up to it I tapered down to about 5mg and on Monday I took just 4mg of oxycodone before my first appointment, so my last dose was now 72 hours ago.

I flushed my stash and went in this past Monday for them to observe my first dose of lofexidine in addition to their taking my vitals, etc and then once a day from home I do a urine test and blood pressure check over zoom with the doctor.

In terms of how I'm feeling: the WD hasn't been awful with the meds they've provided, as I think that the lofexidine is quite helpful, in addition to the fact that my habit wasn't too much. I also think tapering before was helpful, as I had some light WD symptoms those days as well. I do not think I'm through it at all, but I do think it will be tolerable.

Anyway, my two questions are specifically about the Vivitrol shot that they will be administering:

1. I have read that one needs between 7-14 days of no opiates to fully avoid precipitated withdrawal from the Vivitrol shot. Initially, they had planned on giving me the shot after 10 days of detox, but now they are saying that they want to give it to me today (3 days in) or tomorrow (4 days in). My tests are clean for oxy now, but considering there is no real "harm" in waiting until the 10 days are up (since I have no oxy to take and if I do relapse then I am out of the program) then my question is: why would I rush to have the injection so quickly? Is this enough time to definitely avoid precipitated withdrawal or is it possible that this study is about getting the patient to the "end goal" (the Vivitrol shot) so they are rushing to get the shot into me before I relapse? The incentives here are confusing me so I am curious your thoughts here.
2. I have read a bunch about Vivitrol now, and I am wondering whether it is sort of "too much" for my habit. Of course, I am not above anyone else in my potential to relapse, but I do have a very good outlook here, have no more connections for oxy, and am confident of riding this out to being fully clean. Some of the side effects of Vivitrol make me think that it might be "too much" for me and that it's possible that this course of action is more suited to a larger habit and that the researchers might, again, just be trying to get me to that "final goal" without taking into consideration that there are side effects to injecting someone with something that lasts for 30 days, whether they "need" it or not. What do you think?

I know this is a very long winded post, but the fact that this is not an actual detox program that I am paying for, I am suddenly unsure of who specifically they are looking out for and whether they consider the program's effectiveness over my health, so I am wondering whether I should use their meds to detox but not go in for the Vivitrol shot.

Any input here would be GREATLY appreciated; thanks so much in advance!

 

[GetMeOutOfThisCRAP]

Those who like opiates a little too much tend to have underlying problems with depression without even being conscious of these issues. I think that vivitrol puts a bandaid on something that should be fixed to begin with. It can be a great emergency resort of quitting is not possible.. but I've seen people's families assume that they're loved one on treatment is "in the clear." Only to have them relapse as soon as they're taken off vivitrol.

Defeating opiate addiction takes not only immense will-power but also a journey of self-discovery. I feel much stronger and happier now that I've taken the time to combat it without the pressure of vivitrol shots or forced-treatment. Ultimately this route is up to you! I think that vivitrol is a bit over-kill for someone who has minor opioid habits here and there--but no treatment is right for everyone. Make sure you tell the truth (unlike my buddy who lied about using yesterday prior to the shot). He had a great time with PWD in front of his parents

I think that when someone is truly ready they will be able to walk away from opiates and stay away without much effort. The repeated process of relapsing is not foreign to addiction treatment centers. I'm not sure how anyone could stop someone from relapsing if they cannot stop themselves. For 3 years I could not stop... nothing would have helped. I just needed for my journey to run its course.