America’s opioid crisis affects millions of people and their families, and it is still going on today. Unfortunately, for people who are addicted, quitting opioids is extremely difficult. Not only do individuals have to face the brutal flu-like withdrawal symptoms that develop when they stop taking an opioid, but they also have to learn new coping mechanisms and life skills that support a sober lifestyle.
Traditional treatment methods involving peer support and behavioral therapy can be very effective in treating addiction, but advancements in medicine have paved the way for medications to assist in the opioid treatment process. One medication used to treat opioid use disorder is Sublocade.
Opioid treatment with Sublocade in West Palm Beach involves detox, once-monthly Sublocade injections, individualized therapy, and aftercare planning. This comprehensive approach can help individuals who are struggling with opioid dependence lead sober and independent lives.
What is Sublocade (Buprenorphine XR)?
Sublocade was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November 2017. It is the first once-monthly buprenorphine injection available to patients suffering from opioid addiction.[1] Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that binds to and activates opioid receptors in the brain. By doing so, the drug can reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings in opioid-dependent patients.
Before Sublocade was approved, buprenorphine was only available in tablets (Subutex) or a film that dissolves in the mouth (Suboxone). Both Subutex and Suboxone must be taken on a daily basis and have a moderate risk for abuse. Sublocade, on the other hand, comes in the form of a subcutaneous injection that is given once monthly. This can help improve medication compliance and reduce the risk for abuse.
Sublocade Side Effects
Sublocade and other buprenorphine medications may cause side effects. The most common Sublocade side effects are:[2]
- Redness, swelling, itching, or irritation at the injection site
- Constipation
- Dizziness when standing or sitting up
- Headache
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Increased liver enzymes
- Sleepiness or fatigue
Patients who enroll in Sublocade treatment will have regular visits with their doctor and on-site medical supervision so they can get help in the event of a severe side effect or adverse reaction.
How Does Sublocade Treatment Work in West Palm Beach?
Sublocade is used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs to help patients who are suffering from opioid dependence or addiction. MAT refers to the use of medications in combination with behavioral therapies and counseling to provide a whole-patient approach that can help people sustain long-term recovery.[3]
Detox and Buprenorphine Induction
The first step of MAT is medical detox. This is when patients are admitted to a medical facility while they go through drug or alcohol withdrawal.
If buprenorphine is given too soon after a person’s last dose of opioids, the patient can go into precipitated withdrawal. Patients should wait 12-24 hours after their last dose of opioids before using buprenorphine. However, Sublocade is intended for patients who have already been on a stable dose of buprenorphine for at least 7 days.[1] As a result, opioid detox usually involves Suboxone or Subutex.
After one week, most opioid withdrawal symptoms should subside. Patients will leave the detox level of care and move onto inpatient or outpatient treatment where they may begin receiving Sublocade injections.
Behavioral Therapy
People receiving treatment with Sublocade in West Palm Beach may participate in residential or outpatient programming. Both of these programs aim to help individuals uncover the causes of their substance abuse, address mental health concerns, and help patients learn coping skills that will help keep them sober. Different behavioral therapy approaches used may include:[4]
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Contingency Management (CM)
- Family Behavior Therapy (FBT)
- 12-Step Facilitation Therapy
The most effective treatments are those that are tailored specifically to meet the patients’ individual needs.
Discharge Planning
Before being discharged from inpatient or outpatient care, individuals will develop thorough aftercare plans for the future. Aftercare helps support recovering individuals after they leave treatment. Aftercare may consist of any or multiple of the following.
- Sober living
- Alumni programs
- 12-Step meetings
- Individual counseling
Some patients may continue seeing their physician for monthly Sublocade injections after finishing a drug or alcohol treatment program.
Medication Management
Throughout treatment and aftercare, patients taking Sublocade in West Palm Beach will have regular doctor’s visits. These appointments give physicians time to access a patient’s progress and for the patient to discuss any side effects or concerns. Patients will also present each month for their monthly Sublocade injection until they are ready to stop the medication.
If a patient and his or her physician decide that stopping Sublocade is appropriate, the doctor will develop a medication plan to take their patient off the medication safely.
Start Opioid Treatment With Sublocade in West Palm Beach Today
Daylight Recovery Center is a comprehensive, fully licensed, medical drug and alcohol detox and recovery center. We believe for one to make a full recovery, a treatment plan that focuses on the entire mind, body, and soul of the individual is the key to success. Whether you’re interested in Sublocade treatment or any of our other rehab programs, give us a call today. Our dedicated admissions counselors are standing by to take your call.
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