Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based approach to treating opioid use disorders. It involves taking medication such as Sublocade or Suboxone to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Though MAT is not a cure for addiction, it can significantly reduce symptoms and promote recovery outcomes. When it comes to Sublocade vs. Suboxone, knowing how these medications compare can help individuals start treatment that meets their specific needs.
If you or a loved one is living with opioid dependence, recovery is achievable. For medication assisted treatment, contact BrightView today. Our caring staff is available 24/7 at 888.501.9865 or via online message. We look forward to discussing our Sublocade and Suboxone treatment programs and helping you lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Why Consider MAT for Opioid Dependence?
Medication-assisted treatment can be a game-changer for those struggling with opioid use. Withdrawal from opioids like hydrocodone, codeine, oxycodone, morphine, heroin, or fentanyl is often intense and unpleasant. Moreover, the process may even be dangerous if medical complications occur. For this reason, receiving direct care from a doctor can make a difference.
An attending physician can prescribe medications such as Sublocade or Suboxone that significantly reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These drugs can give you or your loved one the best chance for lasting success in recovery. Coupled with behavioral interventions, MAT is an excellent choice for many people working to overcome opioid dependence.
Sublocade vs. Suboxone
Is Sublocade the same as Suboxone? While MAT for opioid use disorders utilizes both medications, the two have some key differences:
- Suboxone combines buprenorphine and naloxone, whereas Sublocade contains only buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist that yields similar effects to opioids, such as euphoria, but to a lesser extent. Used correctly, it lessens physical dependence on opioids, minimizes cravings, and lowers the risk of an overdose. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, meaning it binds to the brain receptors that opioids would otherwise attach to, blocking the effects of drugs like heroin and methadone.
- Patients take Suboxone daily or every other day as a sublingual film. Sublocade, by contrast, is an abdominal injection. A trained physician or nurse practitioner must administer it. Sublocade is extended release, and each dose lasts about a month.
- Suboxone has some potential for misuse since it contains the opioid partial agonist buprenorphine. However, this risk is low due to the simultaneous presence of the opioid antagonist naloxone. Sublocade’s risk of misuse is virtually non-existent since it’s only available during clinic visits.
Doctors may prescribe Suboxone very early in a patient’s MAT journey. Sublocade is only substituted after the patient demonstrates no adverse reactions to Suboxone or another buprenorphine medication.
What Else Happens in a Medication Assisted Treatment Program?
Coupled with medications, patients in a MAT program typically benefit from one-on-one counseling with a licensed therapist. They will learn critical skills such as coping mechanisms to deal with stressors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be especially effective since it teaches patients to identify their self-defeating thought patterns. They then replace them with more positive and empowering thoughts. Individual therapy may also help patients explore the underlying reasons for opioid use and establish relapse prevention plans.
Group therapy can also play a vital role in lasting opioid recovery. Twelve-step programs, similar to the model initially developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, can be beneficial. These programs create accountability, ongoing community, and a framework for repairing past harm done by drug use. They also allow people with similar experiences to connect, which can be powerful and motivational while overcoming opioid dependence.
Get Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder at BrightView Today
If you or a loved one could use help getting free from opioid dependence, call BrightView today. Our medication assisted treatment and flexible scheduling options can make an enormous difference in your recovery journey. Our opioid MAT services are available at our clinics throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Arizona. Contact us online, or call 888.501.9865 to start the conversation.
