Sublocade: How Drugs Help Break Drug Addiction

In addiction recovery, one form of medication treatment for opioids is Sublocade. Sublocade is an evidence-based medication approved by the FDA and has promising results to help individuals who struggle with opioid substance use. Many individuals may wonder if there are any additional benefits to Sublocade to help manage opioid dependence.

Understanding Sublocade

Sublocade is offered to individuals addicted to opioids who want to prevent relapse. It is administered through a monthly injection. The injection of Buprenorphine has been relevant in the addiction recovery industry since late 2017. Individuals who receive treatment for opioid use disorders found that the medication manages their symptoms in a shorter time frame. 

Sublocade is the brand name for buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a chemical that is an agonist against opioids and provides individuals with similar effects to opioid drugs without the intense euphoric sensation and side effects.

This medication helps relieve withdrawal symptoms and prevents cravings without the need for the individual to continue to get high. Sublocade is administered intravenously by a health care professional safely in the patient's abdomen. Slowly, the chemical is introduced into the bloodstream within a specific timeframe. Thus, the manner and application of the medication help to prevent abuse and distribution in the streets. 

Sublocade may be given monthly or within 26 days, depending on the individual's treatment plans. The injection is only available to individuals invested in other treatment options such as induction therapy or treatment therapy for opioid dependency. The Sublocade medication is monitored in a closed environment and administered carefully throughout recovery.

Since the medicine is non-addictive, individuals can be quickly tapered off of Sublocade as they progress through their treatment. Some of the side effects of the injection are withdrawal-like symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, headaches, and fatigue. These side effects are more tolerable, and the risks far less than the discomfort of real-time withdrawal symptoms from opioids.

Medical professionals advise those allergic to Buprenorphine to avoid Sublocade altogether, but if taken, do not combine it with any other substances while in the bloodstream. Furthermore, the medication should be discontinued if individuals begin to struggle with neurological function and or breathing issues.

The Benefits of Sublocade

Sublocade is an option for individuals to have safe and professional treatment. Those who take injections of Sublocade require close monitoring and need to avoid using outside substances like opioids.

Often, individuals who report taking Sublocade speak highly about the medication's effectiveness and benefits. One of these reported benefits is the lowered risk of relapse and the ability to be entirely free of substance use after treatment concludes. Yet another benefit is that Sublocade allows an individual to focus on taking the injection once a month versus other forms required to take daily.

Sublocade is an excellent and effective option for opioid recovery as it is introduced into your body for 30 days and can make a massive difference in the overall treatment plan. Some individuals who take strict doses of Buprenorphine may experience side effects or withdrawal symptoms after a dose is missed. Alternatively, with Sublocade, the withdrawal symptoms are easier to manage. Cravings are essentially controlled with a substance directed to address opioid functionality within the brain.

Sublocade helps block substance use cravings that reside inside the brain receptors. Since the brain receptors are responsible for producing side effects, Sublocade is a way to deal with them and give individuals a practical operation to effectively stop them. Of course, another benefit of Sublocade is the additional treatment options included with the medication.

There are a variety of treatments that can introduce an individual to complete body healing. When individuals have to worry about significant cravings or withdrawal symptoms, Sublocade gives them the means to cope and find a healthier, happier lifestyle. Furthermore, Sublocade helps break that cycle of substance use and creates an effective long-term option for recovery success.

Reaching Out and Getting More Information on Sublocade

The addiction recovery process is not easy to begin, but it is worth every second. Some individuals may worry about their withdrawal symptoms or the difficulties of eliminating the substance from their lives. In cases such as these, Sublocade may be a good option for individuals to inquire about.

If an individual wants to revitalize their life and learn more about addiction recovery benefits, they should talk with a professional who understands opioid substance use disorder and the benefits of having Sublocade in their corner.

The Forge Recovery Center proudly utilizes Sublocade as part of our treatment plans. Used as part of our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program, Sublocade allows those who struggle with abstinence-based programs to develop more and more recovery time, allowing for a positive outcome after treatment is finished.

To learn more about treatment options and which one would be best suited for you and your individual needs, take a step forward and overcome substance use disorder with a comprehensive treatment plan today. Reach out to The Forge today.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

May 9, 2022