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Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Harithsa S. Asuri, MPH
Published: June 24, 2026
Updated: June 24, 2026
If you use opioids while receiving Sublocade®, you may not feel the effects you expect because the medication can block or blunt the rewarding effects of opioids. However, using opioids while on Sublocade can still be dangerous.
Key takeaways:
If you have questions about Sublocade treatment or other forms of medication-assisted treatment, speaking with a healthcare provider is the safest next step.
No. Opioids should not be used while receiving Sublocade unless specifically directed by a healthcare provider.
Sublocade contains buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Because buprenorphine attaches strongly to opioid receptors, it can reduce cravings and may block or blunt the effects of other opioids. However, that does not make opioid use safe.
Some people may try to use more opioids to overcome Sublocade’s blocking effect. This can significantly increase the risk of overdose, respiratory depression, and other serious complications.
Safety Note
If you think someone may be overdosing:
If you have used opioids while on Sublocade, consider reaching out to a provider who specializes in opioid addiction treatment. Honest conversations help providers adjust treatment plans and provide additional support.
Sublocade is a once-monthly injectable form of buprenorphine used to treat moderate to severe opioid use disorder. Whether Sublocade is appropriate depends on a person’s medical history, treatment goals, and clinical evaluation. Healthcare providers determine when and whether Sublocade is the right medication option as part of an individualized treatment plan. Unlike daily medications, Sublocade is administered by a healthcare provider and slowly releases medication over time. It is intended to be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include counseling, behavioral health services, recovery support, and ongoing medical care.
Buprenorphine itself is an opioid medication, but it works differently than full opioid agonists such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, or morphine. Because of the way it interacts with opioid receptors, buprenorphine can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings while lowering the risk of misuse.
Learn more about buprenorphine treatment and how it may fit into a broader opioid treatment program.
Sublocade works by slowly releasing buprenorphine into the body throughout the month between injections.
Buprenorphine attaches strongly to opioid receptors in the brain. This can:
Many people describe feeling more stable and less preoccupied with obtaining or using opioids while taking Sublocade.
However, it is important to understand that blocking opioid effects is not the same thing as preventing overdose. Sublocade is a treatment for opioid use disorder, not a guarantee against harm if opioids are used again.
The effects can vary based on many factors, including the type of opioid used, dosage, timing, tolerance, other substances involved, and individual health conditions.
| What May Happen | Why It Matters | What To Do |
| You may not feel the expected high | Sublocade can block or blunt opioid effects | Do not take more opioids to try to overcome the medication |
| You may feel sedated, dizzy, or confused | Opioids can still affect breathing and alertness | Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen |
| Breathing may slow | Respiratory depression can become life-threatening | Call 911 and use naloxone if available |
| Cravings or continued opioid use may occur | Additional support or treatment adjustments may be needed | Talk with your provider |
| Other substances may increase risk | Alcohol and other depressants can worsen sedation and breathing problems | Avoid mixing substances and seek medical care |
Fentanyl presents unique risks because it is highly potent and is frequently mixed into other substances.
Even if Sublocade reduces some of fentanyl’s effects, fentanyl can still be dangerous. A person may mistakenly assume they are protected because they do not feel the expected high, leading them to take more and increasing the risk of overdose.
Individuals struggling with fentanyl use may benefit from specialized fentanyl addiction treatment and ongoing medical support.
Yes.
Although Sublocade may reduce the rewarding effects of opioids, overdose is still possible.
The risk may increase when someone:
Overdose Warning Signs
Seek emergency help immediately if someone experiences:
Emergency Action Steps
For additional information, review these overdose resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
One of the most dangerous misconceptions about Sublocade is that not feeling high means opioid use is safe.
It is important to distinguish between:
Subjective effects
Physical risks
Someone may not experience the high they expected, yet still experience serious medical complications.
Remember: Blocked effects do not mean blocked risk.
If you used opioids while receiving Sublocade:
Checklist
☐ Do not take more opioids to see whether Sublocade is working.
☐ Watch closely for overdose symptoms.
☐ Use naloxone and call 911 if overdose is suspected.
☐ Contact your treatment provider as soon as possible.
☐ Be honest about what happened, including what substance was used and whether alcohol or other medications were involved.
☐ Discuss whether your treatment plan needs adjustments.
☐ Consider additional counseling, support services, or relapse prevention resources.
☐ If opioid use is continuing, seek professional help immediately.
Additional support may be available through BrightView’s relapse prevention services.
Need support after a return to opioid use?
Schedule an appointment online.
Not necessarily.
Opioid use disorder is a chronic medical condition. Like other chronic conditions, recovery can involve setbacks, challenges, and changing needs over time.
A return to opioid use does not automatically mean Sublocade has failed.
Cravings may continue because of:
The most important step is talking with your treatment team.
Remember:
A return to use is a reason to get more support, not a reason to give up.
Medication often works best when combined with counseling, recovery support, and services such as behavioral health therapies and individual therapy.
Sublocade is designed to provide a steady release of buprenorphine throughout the month between injections.
How strongly opioid effects are blocked can vary from person to person and may be influenced by treatment history, dose timing, individual biology, and other factors.
Because Sublocade is long-acting, people should not attempt to test, override, or time opioid use around their injections.
Important Reminder
Do not try to test or time Sublocade’s blocking effects.
If cravings or opioid use continue, talk with your healthcare provider about your treatment plan.
Medication can be an important part of recovery, but it is often most effective when combined with additional support.
Not everyone who seeks treatment for opioid use disorder will start Sublocade immediately. Medication decisions are made collaboratively between patients and their healthcare providers based on clinical needs, treatment history, current opioid use, and safety considerations.
BrightView’s outpatient addiction treatment programs may include:
Depending on clinical needs, treatment options may include Sublocade, buprenorphine, Suboxone treatment, methadone treatment, or other evidence-based approaches.
Seek emergency medical help immediately if someone:
Use naloxone if available and call 911 immediately.
If known, tell emergency responders that the person is receiving Sublocade or buprenorphine treatment.
Not always. The decision to start Sublocade depends on several factors, including your medical history, current opioid use, previous treatment experience, and your provider’s clinical assessment. A healthcare provider can explain whether Sublocade is appropriate and when it may be safely started as part of your treatment plan.
Some people may experience reduced or blocked opioid effects while on Sublocade. However, responses vary and attempting to overcome the medication’s effects can increase overdose risk.
Yes. Overdose remains possible, particularly when opioids are used alongside Sublocade or when opioids are combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other depressants.
Sublocade contains buprenorphine, which is an opioid medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It works differently than full opioid agonists such as heroin or fentanyl.
Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. A return to opioid use is a signal that additional support or treatment adjustments may be needed.
Sublocade may reduce or blunt some effects of fentanyl, but fentanyl can still be extremely dangerous. Overdose remains possible.
Sublocade is designed to release buprenorphine throughout the month between injections. Individual responses vary, and there is no safe timeline for opioid use while receiving treatment.
If you used opioids while on Sublocade, you are not alone, and you do not need to handle it by yourself.
A return to opioid use does not mean treatment has failed. It means it may be time to reassess your recovery plan and identify additional support that can help you move forward safely.
BrightView provides compassionate, evidence-based outpatient addiction treatment and medication-assisted treatment for people living with opioid use disorder.
Get support for opioid addiction treatment today.
If you are interested in Sublocade, a BrightView provider can help determine whether it is an appropriate treatment option for your situation.
Schedule an appointment or find a BrightView location near you.
Questions about cost or coverage? Learn more about insurance and financial options.
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