Sublocade Treatment

Sublocade Treatment: How Does It Work?

At Create Recovery, we assist individuals and families in finding and utilizing the best types of treatment to work for them. We are a MAT-friendly program that offers outpatient treatment and sober living to men and women seeking recovery from substance abuse. We are proud to offer a wide variety of effective therapies and treatments proven effective in treating substance abuse problems and mental health disorders.

Addiction and The Opioid Epidemic

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2020 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States alone.

Addiction is a serious disease affecting over 20 million adults in the U.S. Of those struggling with addiction, only 25% report getting help and services. Entering into a treatment center or participating in an outside community 12 step meeting can be a highly effective way of starting on the path to recovery. For those who struggle with opioid addiction and have been through their recovery process before, attempting medication-assisted treatment alongside the help of other treatment modalities may be the most helpful way to prevent overdoses or relapse.

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What is Medication Assisted Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the combination of medications and behavioral therapies to treat substance use addictions. More specifically, MAT programs are most often recommended to those suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder(OUD). MAT medications used to treat substance abuse are U.S. FDA-approved and are known to be the most effective intervention in treating OUD, compared to behavioral interventions and medication alone. Each MAT medication differs in the way it works to relieve withdrawal symptoms and block the euphoric effects of the drugs.

What is Sublocade?

Sublocade is a prescription medication used to help those addicted to opioid drugs and heroin recover from their addiction. Sublocade is an injection that is given once a month by a physician. It is a form of the medication buprenorphine that is slow-released over 30 days.

Sublocade is a schedule III controlled substance. It has a high risk of misuse; therefore, doctors who prescribe Sublocade must have special training and be certified by the U.S. government.

Sublocade has been proven effective in treating opiate addiction and heroin addiction since its inception and FDA approval in November of 2017. A 24-week clinical study followed individuals using Sublocade to treat Opioid use disorder. The results found that 30% of participants did not use opioids again after receiving treatment compared to the group given a placebo drug, of which only 2% were able to maintain long-term recovery.

What is Buprnorphine?

Buprenorphine suppresses and reduces cravings for opioids. This medication also expels existing opioids from the brain and blocks other opioids from attaching. It can also prevent withdrawal and associated symptoms for up to 72 hours. Buprenorphine is available as a pill, film, injection, or implant.

Is MAT Effective?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, medication-assisted treatment has proven to be effective in treating the withdrawal symptoms and negative effects of opioid use and reduced the risk of overdose rates in high-risk patients. Medication-assisted treatment should be used in conjunction with other therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and counseling MAT programs utilize an unabridged approach to treating opioid dependence and alcohol addiction. Research has proven that MAT helps assist patients in long-term sobriety. This treatment approach has been known to improve significantly survival rates of those suffering from drug addiction. It also can increase retention to remain in treatment, especially for those who have attempted inpatient or outpatient rehab stays before.

MAT therapy substantially decreases the risk of relapse, as well as other health problems caused by addiction. Those who utilize MAT programs have reported an increase daily functioning and the newfound ability to maintain a regular routine and self-care. MAT decreases recovery time in treating opioid withdrawal and physical symptoms for those recovering from opioid use disorders allowing them to return to work, school, and caretaking in a shorter period.

MAT has also been shown to improve live birth outcomes among women who are pregnant and struggling with substance use.

After a study conducted in 2015, following the long term effectiveness of MAT, results showed,
  • Eighteen months after receiving MAT treatment, 50% of participants were still abstinent from drugs.
  • After 3-5 years, 61% of participants were still sober, with fewer than 10% meeting the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for a diagnosis of drug dependence.

How Can Sublocade Treatment Help Me?

If you or a loved one is struggling with a heroin or opioid abuse disorder, it is vital to find a treatment center that offers a wide variety of different modalities and treatments to meet their specific needs. If this is your first time seeking treatment, or if you have been to treatment previously, choosing to participate in a MAT program when seeking recovery from opioid use disorder may help you to meet the desired goals and outcomes you wish to achieve.

At Create Recovery, we want to empower individuals in knowing that the most important part of recovery is building a sustainable life that you are proud to be living. Recovery and sobriety are available to you, and we want to help.

If you have questions about MAT, Sublocade, addiction treatment, or mental health services, call our admissions line today to speak with one of our dedicated representatives for more information and resources on how we can help you.