In 2023, 24 out of every 1,000 Virginia residents died of an opioid overdose. How many of these people had tried to quit taking opioids, only to end up returning to use? If you’re living with opioid use disorder (OUD), you know just how difficult it can be to quit, even in the face of life-threatening consequences. Cravings and withdrawal symptoms can quickly lead you back to opioids.
Here at ReVIDA® Recovery, we see the need for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in our local community. We know how effective it is because we’ve seen it work repeatedly for our patients. Recently, we’ve started providing our clients with the long-acting Sublocade shot. Read on to learn more about the Sublocade shot and how you can use it to treat your OUD.
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What You Should Know About Sublocade Shots
Sublocade works as a partial opioid agonist. Beupronorphine, the active ingredient in Sublocade, attaches to opioid receptors in the brain the same way opioids would. Beupronorphine is technically an opioid, but it has a ceiling effect. The ceiling effect means that you won’t get the same intense feelings of euphoria and relaxation you experience with other opioids. Sublocade treats OUD by reducing your cravings for opioids, improving your withdrawal symptoms, and blocking the rewarding effects of other opioids.
Sublocade isn’t the only medication that uses buprenorphine to treat OUD. What makes Sublocade unique is its extended-release formula. A doctor injects Sublocade once a month. Initially, Sublocade is a liquid, but once injected into the bloodstream, it forms a solid gel called a depot. The depot releases a steady amount of buprenorphine throughout the month.
What You Can Expect from a Sublocade Shot Appointment
If you’re considering using Sublocade to treat OUD, you want to know what to expect at your first doctor’s appointment. Starting a new medication can be intimidating, but a good sublcoade doctor will put you at ease. During your first visit, you’ll be able to ask questions and learn more about how the medication will work for you. The two of you will discuss your goals for recovery and what you’re looking for out of a medication.
During your first Sublocade appointment, you will have a physical exam to assess your health needs and take a substance use test to determine a benchmark. This will help your doctor decide on the best course for you.
It’s important to note that if you do choose Sublocade, chances are that you won’t receive your shot during your first appointment. You need to be stable on an oral buprenorphine medication, like suboxone, for at least a week before you can start Sublocade.
Sublocade Shot vs. Suboxone Medication: What’s the Difference?
There are a few key differences between the two medications. The major similarities and differences are illustrated in the chart below.
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| Name of the medication: | Sublocade | Suboxone |
| What they’re used for: | Treating OUD | Treating OUD |
| Their active ingredients: | Buprenorphine | Buprenorphine and naloxone |
| How they’re administered: | Injected by a doctor | Taken orally |
| How often they’re taken: | Once a month | Daily |
Both suboxone and Sublocade are safe, effective methods for treating OUD. If you’re unsure whether Sublocade or Suboxone is a better fit for you, that’s okay. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you.
Choosing the right medication largely depends on which one fits your lifestyle and recovery goals. If you want to easily adjust your dose, Suboxone is the easier choice. If you want to have consistent buprenorphine throughout the month without having to think about it, Sublocade is the better choice.
Signs MAT Is Right for You
You might not be sure if you’re at the point where you need Sublocade to treat OUD. Not everyone who takes opioids has OUD, but there are several signs to watch out for.
Signs that you’re living with OUD include:
- Obsessing about the next time you can have opioids
- Not being able to stop opioids after multiple attempts
- Needing more and more opioids to feel their effects
- Spending too much money on opioids
- Taking opioids despite growing health problems
- Putting opioids over important relationships
- Not taking care of other responsibilities due to your opioid use
One of the biggest signs of OUD is withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal occurs when someone with a physical dependence on opioids stops taking them. Most withdrawal symptoms mimic those of the flu. They can include a runny nose, watery eyes, sweating, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. While these symptoms may sometimes feel unbearable, they’re not usually life-threatening.
Sublocade can minimize withdrawal symptoms, making the transition from opioid use to recovery much easier on your body.
Supplementing Sublocade With Additional Treatment
Most of the time, a sublocade shot is just one of the tools for treating OUD. When you start using opioids, it’s usually for a reason. A good treatment center should help you understand the root causes of your OUD and help you manage the ways it’s affected your life. Let’s go over some examples of additional treatment options for managing OUD.
Individual Therapy
Sublocade is most effective when it’s used in combination with therapy. Sublocade will empower you to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. But it can’t change the reasons that you started taking opioids in the first place.
If you’re like a lot of people with OUD, opioids entered your life as a tool for managing difficult experiences. Opioids allow you to escape your daily life for just a few moments, enabling you to feel relaxed and calm. With your therapist, you’ll develop strategies for coping with difficult feelings. With support, you’ll find healthier alternatives, leading to greater success in recovery.
Group Therapy
A strong OUD recovery program will encourage growth through group therapy. Group will provide you with a place to build a network of other people in recovery. You’ll find that your experiences with opioids are not as isolating as you feel they are right now. Other people are also living with OUD and succeeding in their recovery journey.
In group therapy, you’ll also get the opportunity to be there for others. In time, you’ll support your fellow group members through difficult periods in their recovery, and they’ll do the same for you. Mutual support is the key to a fruitful recovery from OUD.
Coordinating Additional Care
Recovery doesn’t stop with treatment. You’ll need more than therapy and symptom relief to change your life. You’ll also need tools to rebuild your life for long-term success, and you shouldn’t have to do that alone. If you get treatment at a ReVIDA® Recovery location, you’ll be assigned to a care coordinator.
A care coordinator will connect you with resources outside of therapy and medication. This includes community resources, access to housing, employment opportunities, SANP benefits, letters for court proceedings, support while navigating child protective services, and more.
Access to additional resources allows you to move on to a new phase of life. Regardless of what you went through before treatment, you deserve to live a life that you’re proud of. The right treatment program will give you the tools to get there.
Receiving Sublocade Treatment at a ReVIDA® Facility
OUD can happen to anyone, and needing help to recover is nothing to be ashamed of. Reaching out for support is the first step towards healing. Once monthly sublocade treatment will provide you with symptom relief so you can focus on other aspects of recovery.
A combination of Suboxone and outpatient therapy will empower you to leave opioids behind for good. A new life is waiting for you. All you have to do is reach out and take it.
ReVIDA® Recovery will support you at every stage of your recovery from OUD. All of our patients receive MAT to treat OUD, so when you walk into a ReVIDA® treatment center, you know you’re in a judgment-free zone. You’ll also have access to flexible outpatient therapy that works with your schedule. To get started today, call us at 423-631-0432 and learn more.
Reclaim your life.
