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It’s very rare for addicts to be monogamous with their drug of choice. They usually abuse alcohol as well. Even if they don’t, alcohol use in early recovery could pave a path back to addiction with the same or another drug. Especially when individuals have had multiple relapse issues, prevention of another could come in the form of alcohol craving reduction.

Tarzana Treatment Centers provides Vivitrol for alcohol and opiate craving reduction. This monthly injection of Naltrexone has helped many who suffer from alcoholism and opiate addiction. They have achieved long-term sobriety when they previously struggled with relapses. Vivitrol works with brain chemistry to minimize the distraction and temptation of this major relapse trigger.

Alcohol is a drug, just like any other. Most addicts abused alcohol before they tried the drug they eventually became addicted to, and either combined the two (or more) or cut back on alcohol. In any of these cases, alcohol holds a psychological connection with dependence on the drug of choice.

In recovery, the suggestion is to remain abstinent from all drugs, including those that were not a part of the problem. This is to avoid the problem of cross addiction. The disease of Addiction causes sufferers to seek an escape mechanism because they can’t cope with normal life occurrences. So, cocaine addicts in recovery might think it is okay to have a glass of wine because alcohol was not a problem before drug rehab.

The addicted mind works in such strange ways that alcohol might not be the biggest threat. Methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine addicts may have a history of being prescribed opiate painkillers from a past injury. This is a great temptation for someone who is desperately trying to remain abstinent. The “pain” mysteriously reappears, quite often, and the addict requests another prescription. Unfortunately, there are far too many doctors who are willing to accommodate.

Whether the hope is to avoid alcohol or opiate abuse, Vivitrol is the solution. After the first 30 days without alcohol or other drugs, recovering addicts of any drug will see the benefits of total abstinence. By eliminating the possibility of cross addiction with alcohol or opiates, and blocking that psychological path to their drug of choice, addicts to any drug have a better chance for long-term recovery.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides a full array of health care services including adult and youth alcohol and drug treatment. We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley and specialized services for HIV/AIDS care. If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders or from other services we offer, please call us now at 888-777-8565 or contact us using our secure contact form.

Telemedicine services are also available with online medical care, online mental health treatment, and online alcohol and drug treatment.

Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.