A growing number of people are turning to a drug to help them battle opioid addiction.

Dr. Jahan Chaudhry, of the Long Island Compassionate Medical Center, says Vivitrol blocks the receptors in a patient’s brain that causes the craving for opioids.

He says it’s administered through a monthly injection.

Vivitrol manufacturer Alkermes says the use of the anti-addiction medication in the U.S. is on the rise. According to the company, in 2016 more than 70,000 patients used Vivitrol. That number rose to nearly 97,000 in 2017. More than 111,000 people used Vivitrol last year.

Most doctors and medical professionals say Vivitrol is a good tool in the toolbox to help fight addiction, but say it might not be for everyone who is trying to get healthy.

Steve Chassman, with the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, says Vivitrol should be used along with counseling, and should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Dr. Chaudhry says he believes his patients get more help with Suboxone.

"Patients really get their life back. It really helps them to be normal, be functional again," he says.

Those struggling with addiction, or those who know someone who is, can call LICADD’s 24 hotline at 631-979-1700.