Horizons Counseling and Education Center Certified to Offer Vivitrol to Clients to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder and Prevent Relapse of Opioid Use Disorder After Opioid Detoxification
Horizons Counseling and Education Center, a leading provider of substance use treatment services in Suffolk County, has announced that clients will now have access to Vivitrol, an extended-release injectable. The medication is administered monthly to treat alcohol dependence, and prevent relapse to opioid dependence after detoxification. The addition of Vivitrol treatment at Horizons is part of an initiative to increase the various examples of help, education and therapeutic services available to the public in the field of substance use treatment. Assessments are now available for those who may be seeking treatment within the community and the surrounding area.
“The abuse of alcohol and abuse/misuse of opioids affect the majority of the individuals treated within our program. While we have offered medication to address both alcohol and opioid use disorders, Vivitrol offers a mechanism of treatment that is administered once a month and is a benefit to those who have difficulty remembering to take their oral medications or are allergic to other medications for addiction treatment. The medication will offer our clients an additional tool for their recovery process.” – Joe Bieniewicz, Director of Drug and Alcohol Counseling Services, Horizons Counseling and Education Center
What is Vivitrol?
- Vivitrol is an extended-release suspension that gets injected into the gluteal muscle approximately once a month to help prevent people with alcohol or opioid dependence from experiencing the need to use these substances.
- Upon injection, the slow release of naltrexone impedes the effects of opioids (heroin or opioid pain medicines) by blocking mu opioid receptors. Additionally, Vivitrol blocks the pain relief that opioid use provides.
- Vivitrol changes how the adrenal, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland operate together to suppress the amount of alcohol an individual feels like drinking. Essentially, Vivitrol blocks the intoxication and “high” that alcohol and opioid use causes.
- Vivitrol should be used as a part of a well-rounded treatment program.
“This is a big step in getting people back on their feet and healthy again after combating addiction. Whether psychological trauma, family history or stress in one’s personal life, has led an individual to seek relief through alcohol and substance use, we must provide those seeking help with a proverbial hand of support. Offering Vivitrol, in addition to the many other treatments available at Horizons, gives clients another option, which further aids in their success to live substance free.” - Councilwoman Lynne Nowick, liaison to Horizons Counseling and Education Center
Horizons is an OASAS-licensed not-for-profit agency funded to provide adolescent and adult treatment, prevention and education services for drug and alcohol related problems. Services include assessments, counseling groups, individual sessions, and an array of specialized treatment and prevention programming. Additionally, Horizons offers services for parents, significant others, and other family members of individuals struggling with addiction.
Fees are based on a sliding scale. Private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare are accepted. Payment methods include: cash, check, MasterCard and Visa.
If you are an adult, youth or parent of a youth who is struggling, please call Horizons to explore the next step to recovery at 631-360-7578 or email horizonsmail@smithtownny.gov.
Horizons Counseling and Education Center is located at 161 E. Main Street in Smithtown