Addiction Treatment with Sublocade in Princeton, NJ

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Medically Verified: August 10, 2024

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Addiction Treatment with Sublocade in Princeton, NJ

Addiction Treatment with Sublocade in Princeton, NJ

When you seek addiction treatment with Sublocade in Princeton, NJ or elsewhere, it can be a life-saving step to overcome opioid addiction. In the battle against the opioid epidemic, there is a wide availability of innovative options, including Sublocade treatment.

This powerful tool has emerged as a source of hope for people struggling with opioid dependency. In this article, you will learn:

  • What Sublocade is and how it works
  • The benefits of opioid addiction treatment with Sublocade
  • How medication-assisted treatment (MAT) works

What Is Sublocade?

Sublocade is the brand name for an extended-release, injectable version of buprenorphine.[1] Buprenorphine is to treat opioid use disorder. Sublocade is designed to be given once a month, providing a steady release of buprenorphine into the bloodstream.

The overall goal of Sublocade treatment is to help minimize cravings and manage the withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction and dependence.

Buprenorphine is classified as a partial opioid agonist, so it activates your brain’s opioid receptors to a significantly lesser degree than a full agonist like prescription opioids or heroin.[2] Since buprenorphine binds to these receptors, it can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms but not produce the same high as other opioids for stabilization to allow you to focus on your treatment and recovery.

The extended-release component of Sublocade ensures the medicine is consistently delivered over a month. Therapeutic levels are maintained in the body, which minimizes the risk of abuse and the element of non-compliance associated with daily medicine.

The Role of Sublocade Treatment

Within the broader context of addiction treatment, Sublocade is considered a medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT Is an evidence-based approach, combining medicines with behavioral therapies and counseling to comprehensively treat substance use disorders.[3]

Since Sublocade delivers consistent buprenorphine levels, it makes it easier to stay in recovery, and the extended-release version lowers the risk of misuse and diversion compared to daily medicines, which can be stolen, lost or abused.[4,5] 

The monthly injections can be convenient for the patient so they can maintain a stable routine, and Sublocade is frequently used as part of a holistic form of treatment that considers the physical and mental parts of addiction.  

Other Types of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Other types of MAT include:[3]

  • Methadone is a full opioid agonist. It works to activate opioid receptors in the brain to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is dispensed in specialized clinics, and it’s taken daily as a pill or liquid.
  • Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. It functions by blocking opioid effects. It can be used not only for opioids but also for alcohol use disorders and prevents relapse by blocking the euphoric effects of these substances.
  • Suboxone is another brand name for buprenorphine. It’s taken under the tongue and has the same overall effects as Sublocade.
  • Disulfiram is an MAT that causes unpleasant symptoms when you consume alcohol, and it’s meant to discourage drinking for people with alcohol use disorder.
  • Acamprosate is a medicine that stabilizes the chemical balance in the brain, which is disrupted by chronic alcohol use. This helps in reducing cravings and symptoms of withdrawal.  

Along with minimizing the physical discomfort of withdrawal and reducing cravings, participating in Sublocade treatment in Princeton, NJ or elsewhere increases the chances you’ll stay in a treatment program and complete it. It can reduce the risk of fatal overdose, and people who receive MAT often experience improvements in their overall quality of life.

The Importance of Comprehensive Therapy with Sublocade Treatment

Sublocade treatment can play a crucial role in managing opioid addiction, but it also has to be combined with comprehensive therapy to fully address all underlying issues.

Addiction frequently stems from underlying psychological issues like trauma or depression. Therapy can help you explore and address these root causes to promote sustainable recovery.

Therapy can help identify and change destructive behavior patterns contributing to addiction and promote healthy coping mechanisms and decision-making processes.

Participating in therapy along with medication-assisted treatment can also have benefits, including:

  • Equipping you with tools for managing stress, which is often a relapse trigger. Techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy help you learn to handle stress effectively without turning to substances.
  • With therapy, you learn strategies to recognize and avoid triggers, prevent relapse and cope with cravings. As part of treatment, you’ll work on a relapse prevention plan and have the chance to practice skills in a supportive environment.
  • Many people with addiction, as mentioned, also suffer from other mental health disorders, and a comprehensive therapy approach is an integrated way to address all issues at the same time and improve treatment outcomes.
  • Therapy helps you improve emotional regulation and reduces the likelihood of turning to addictive substances to cope with upsetting or overwhelming emotions.
  •  Addiction affects families and loved ones as well as the individual. Family therapy improves communication, helps resolve conflicts, and rebuilds trust to create a supportive recovery environment.
  • In a treatment program, you’ll often participate in group therapy, connecting with others facing similar challenges. A sense of shared experiences and community can be a source of support and motivation.
  • While medicines like Sublocade help manage physical dependence, therapy and more intensive treatment approaches address the social and psychological parts of addiction, which are critical to achieving and then maintaining long-term abstinence.
  • Therapy can include life skills training, such as managing finances and developing healthy lifestyle habits, to help rebuild a stable, fulfilling life in recovery.

Finally, comprehensive treatment often incorporates holistic therapies like yoga, meditation and mindfulness to support recovery and overall well-being.

Sublocade Treatment in Princeton, NJ At The Living Room

Combining Sublocade treatment with comprehensive therapy is a holistic way to help you begin addiction recovery. Sublocade addresses the physical parts of opioid dependence, and treatment can tackle the psychological, social and emotional dimensions.

You’re then empowered with a strong foundation for long-term recovery.

If you’d like to learn more about Sublocade treatment in Princeton, NJ, we encourage you to contact our team at The Living Room.

References:

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): FDA approves first once-monthly buprenorphine injection, a medication-assisted treatment option for opioid use disorder
  2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): What is Buprenorphine?
  3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Medications for Substance Use Disorders
  4. National Institute of Health: Clinical Review Report: Buprenorphine extended-release injection (Sublocade)
  5. Journal of Addictions Nursing: Sublocade The Once-Monthly Buprenorphine Injectable

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