Vero Beach, FL (772) 300-9077
For many individuals, opioid issues often originate with a prescription for pain relief and swiftly progress to dependency and addiction.
A major challenge of opioid abuse is the formidable struggle to discontinue use. Withdrawal from opioids entails a range of distressing symptoms that frequently drive individuals to persist in using to avoid them. Additionally, many individuals relapse into opioid abuse post-detox due to the overpowering nature of the cravings. Fortunately, today we have solutions to aid in managing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Medication-assisted treatment, known as MAT, is recognized as the most effective approach for addressing opioid addiction. At Wave Treatment Centers in Vero Beach, FL, Sublocade injections offer a solution to overcome opioid dependency, requiring just one monthly visit thanks to Sublocade's extended-release formula that remains effective in the system for 26 days.
"Long-acting injectable medications are an incredibly effective tool for treating addictions. Generally we transition patients onto Sublocade as soon as we determine, together with you, that remaining on buprenorphine (maintenance) is the right option for your success."
Dr. Jonathan Beatty, Founder
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Sublocade is a brand name for a form of buprenorphine, which has been used in opioid medication-assisted treatment for a number of years. Unlike other MAT medications like methadone, buprenorphine is a partial opioid antagonist, which means that it has a much lower risk of dependence because it cannot get a user high.
What sets Sublocade apart is how it is dosed. While other opioid MAT medications require daily or every-other-day visits in order to get your dosage, Sublocade only requires a once per month visit. This is because Sublocade is injected under the skin, and its extended-release formula stays in your system for 26 days.
Before you can begin taking Sublocade injections, you must first go through a process called induction treatment. This involves taking a sublingual, or under the tongue, form of buprenorphine to treat the beginning stages of withdrawal. These daily dosages help you build up buprenorphine in your system, significantly reducing your withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings.
After about 30 to 60 days, you can receive a Sublocade injection at Wave Treatment Centers as a part of your long-term opioid Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program plan. The extended-release aspect of Sublocade means that you can maintain your sobriety for the long term without having to make time for the frequent doctor or clinic visits.
Just like any other prescription medication, Sublocade injections do have some risk of side effects. The most commonly reported ones are pain, redness, or itching around the injection site. These symptoms are usually very minor and clear up within a few days. Some of the other potential common side effects are:
One of the most common misconceptions about the medications used in MAT treatment is that they can “cure” your addiction or that they can be used as a standalone treatment. Unfortunately, neither of these claims is true. Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing disease that requires commitment and dedication to manage – even after years of being sober, one wrong move can send you right back into your addiction.
That is why MAT also focuses on behavioral therapy, overall wellness, and aftercare services. With this combination of addiction recovery services, you are far more likely to not only achieve sobriety but also maintain it for the long term.
With the implementation of either Vivitrol or Sublocade, most of our patients are able to return to productive lives with minimal disruption of their goals from substances. That is because Wave Treatment Centers of Vero Beach, FL takes the time to identify what treatment option will work best for you, and we partner with you to keep on top of your recovery and make changes when and if something is not working towards your goals.
While every insurance plan is different, your insurance company may offer coverage for Sublocade treatment of opioid dependency.
If you are considering Sublocade, our caring staff will help you determine what your options are for insurance or other payment plans.
Dr. Beatty is a very knowledgeable and kind doctor. Of all the doctors I have seen he has by far been the most helpful and really puts his patients at ease. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs a doctor who takes the time to look at each patient individually and help you feel better knowing he wants to see people’s situations improve.
Joanne L.