Health
Vivitrol: An Extremely Effective Ally In Fighting Opioid Addiction featuring Dr. Russell Surasky
Let me tell you a story of a young man from a privileged Long Island community who was injured in a crash while away at college was prescribed Percocets for the pain — a story that epitomizes the national opioid epidemic.
Well call him Mike to protect his identity, a summation of his journey are as follows: his chronic injuries continued, as did the pain, prescription drugs ensued, which evolved into street drugs and Mike’s life becomes a calamity of shakespearean proportions.
Mike may have lost his job, girlfriend and savings, but he didn’t lose hope. He sought out an addiction doctor. Who suggested he try out Vivitrol. Luckily there is a happy ending to the story, Mike got clean and he attested Vivitrol to being a major factor in saving his life. So what is this drug that counteracts addiction?
What is Vivitrol & How Does It Work?
Vivitrol is a once-monthly injection that dramatically reduces cravings for opiate drugs. In contrast to Suboxone and Methadone, Vivitrol is not an opiate, it is not addictive, and does not cause physical dependence. Even more impressive is the fact that if a patient taking Vivitrol were to use opiates they would not feel high, not get sick; simply nothing would occur. The user’s desired effects are negated. Vivitrol is not a life sentence of medication. Treatment length varies but typically lasts for approximately 1 year.
Dr. Russell Surasky of New York is a neurology specialist. Dr. Surasky is triple board certified in neurology, addiction medicine, and preventive medicine. Currently he is the medical director of Bridge Back to Life, a multi-center outpatient addiction treatment program and the founder of the Surasky Neurological Center for Addiction in Great Neck, N.Y. Dr. Surasky calls Vivitrol one of the most effective treatments for opioid addiction.
“With the patient’s firm commitment to recovery, along with counseling and a strong support system, Vivitrol is a powerful tool in treating addiction to opioids and alcohol,” Surasky says. “Treatment with medication along with ongoing substance-abuse therapy and support offers patients a lifeline. Our patients have had remarkable success with Vivitrol. They tell us that they no longer crave or even think about opiates and they feel they have finally broken the chains of addiction.”
“There is nothing more important than keeping families whole, When someone has a substance use disorder, not only are they suffering but so is their family … we all need to join forces to try and keep people alive. No one is immune. No community is exempt.
Vivitrol may be the lifeline that is needed.
SHOT AT LIFE VIVITROL EDUCATION & SUPPORT GROUP
7-9 p.m. Tuesdays
St Bernard’s Parish School
3100 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown
2nd floor room #209
Health
Precision with Compassion: How Dr. Nader Amiran Balances Clinical Expertise with Human Connection
Somewhere along the way, healthcare became fast, technical, and transactional. Patients learned to nod along, accept explanations they barely understood, and hope the treatment worked.
Dr. Nader Amiran chose a different path. At AIRE Dental Group, he has built a reputation not just for clinical accuracy, but for the way he connects with people before he ever connects the data. His work sits at the intersection of science and trust, where listening is not a courtesy, but a diagnostic tool.
For Dr. Amiran, empathy is not a soft skill layered on top of technical expertise. It is the foundation of precision. He believes you cannot treat what you do not fully understand, and understanding begins long before imaging or exams. It starts with hearing how a patient lives, where their discomfort shows up, and how long they have been carrying it.
This philosophy shapes every interaction in his practice. Consultations are unhurried. Questions are encouraged. Patients are not rushed toward conclusions. Instead, Dr. Amiran takes time to understand the full picture, knowing that pain rarely exists in isolation. Jaw discomfort, headaches, or bite changes often come with frustration, fear, or confusion after years of unanswered questions. Those emotions matter because they influence how patients experience care.
One of the defining elements of his approach is how he explains complex findings. Dentistry, especially TMJ and functional care, can feel overwhelming. Dr. Amiran makes it accessible. He uses visuals, models, and imaging to show patients what is happening inside their own bodies. The goal is clarity, not complexity. When patients understand what is causing their symptoms, anxiety gives way to confidence. Studies have shown that patients forget between 40% and 80% of the medical information provided by healthcare practitioners immediately, which highlights the importance of clear explanations and visual education during consultations.
This commitment to education did not come without challenges. Early in his career, Dr. Amiran often treated patients who had already seen multiple providers and still felt stuck. Many had received treatment without ever truly understanding their diagnosis. Those experiences reinforced an important lesson: even the most accurate clinical decision loses impact if the patient feels excluded from the process. The role of patient education in improving compliance and treatment outcomes has been widely supported in clinical literature evaluating communication strategies in healthcare (Kessels, 2003).
In response, he made education central to care. Treatment plans are discussed in plain language, with a clear explanation of why each step matters. Patients are invited into the decision-making process rather than being handed instructions. This approach builds trust, but it also improves outcomes. When people understand their condition, they are more engaged and more invested in maintaining progress. Studies evaluating patient-centered care models have demonstrated that involving patients in treatment decisions improves adherence and satisfaction rates (Street et al., 2009).
Precision still plays a critical role. Dr. Amiran relies on advanced diagnostics, careful evaluation, and evidence-based planning. Technology provides valuable insight, but he is clear about its role. Data informs decisions; it does not replace judgment. Imaging shows structure, but listening reveals context. Together, they create a more complete understanding than either could alone.
What sets his work apart is how seamlessly these elements come together. Clinical accuracy does not overshadow compassion, and empathy does not dilute rigor. Each strengthens the other. By treating patients as partners rather than problems to solve, Dr. Amiran creates an environment where healing feels collaborative, not imposed.
At AIRE Dental Group, patients often describe a shift in how they experience care. For the first time, they feel heard. For the first time, the explanation makes sense. That sense of clarity changes everything. It turns treatment from something that happens to them into something they actively participate in.
Dr. Nader Amiran’s approach challenges a common assumption in modern medicine: that efficiency and empathy cannot coexist. His work proves they can. When precision is guided by understanding, results last longer, trust runs deeper, and care feels human again.
In a field driven by innovation, his philosophy is a reminder that the most powerful tool in dentistry is still the ability to listen.
References:
Kessels RPC.
Patients’ memory for medical information.
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 2003.
Street RL, Makoul G, Arora NK, Epstein RM.
How does communication heal? Pathways linking clinician–patient communication to health outcomes.
Patient Education and Counseling. 2009.
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