Johnson City, TN— ReVIDA® Recovery is a local recovery organization that specifically treats opioid use disorder (OUD) using medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Their goal is to support and empower the people of Appalachia throughout their recovery from OUD. Recently, ReVIDA® published an article designed to help potential patients decide if Suboxone or Sublocade is the right MAT option for them.
“MAT is an empowering tool for many people recovering from OUD. Withdrawal symptoms from opioids like codeine, morphine, heroin, or fentanyl are one of the biggest reasons that people return to use. Withdrawal is not usually life-threatening, but the flu-like symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable. If you have other medical conditions, withdrawal can cause complications.
Cravings are another primary reason people return to use. When your body is used to consuming opioids to get dopamine and endorphins, the amount your body naturally produces no longer feels like enough. This leads to cravings for more opioids. Cravings can be intense, so you can’t think about anything else. When you stop taking opioids, managing cravings on your own can be very difficult,” the article begins.
Both Sublocade and Suboxone target cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and they use one of the same active ingredients.
“Both Sublocade and Suboxone use the active ingredient buprenorphine. This ingredient is the foundation of most MAT treatments. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. That means the chemical attaches to opioid receptors throughout the central nervous system and the brain, with a weaker effect than other opioids. Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect. While it reduces cravings for opioids and improves withdrawal symptoms, you can’t experience the mind-altering aspects.
Because the two medications have this active ingredient, they’re both effective at treating OUD. Since buprenorphine attaches to opioid receptors, you cannot get high on other opioids, like heroin or morphine, while you’re on either medication. By removing the ability to feel the effects of more potent opioids, reducing cravings, and improving withdrawal symptoms, the active ingredient in these medications dramatically improves your chances for success in recovery,” the article states.
However, they’re not identical. Suboxone and Sublocade have a few key differences. Suboxone is taken daily as a tablet or film. This medication also has a second active ingredient: naloxone. Naloxone serves as a secondary protection against misuse so patients can’t melt down the medication in an attempt to use it recreationally.
Sublocade is administered by a doctor once a month. The medication is injected into the bloodstream as a liquid, then forms a gel in the body, releasing consistent buprenorphine throughout the month.
“Before choosing which medication to take, you should talk to your MAT doctor. The two of you will discuss your medical history, experience with OUD, and your goals for recovery before deciding what medication is right for you.
“The big difference between Sublocade and Suboxone is the way they’re administered. If you regularly take daily medication and feel comfortable managing that as part of your daily routine, Suboxone is a good choice for you. Alternatively, if you have a hard time remembering to take your medication, you might prefer a once-a-month shot. That way, you don’t have to think about medication daily.
“It also depends on what kind of care you seek in recovery. While both medications are effective at treating OUD, they create slightly different recovery experiences. If you want a medication with a dose that can be easily adjusted, Suboxone’s daily tablets or films will give you that kind of flexibility. If what you want is a slow-release medication to help you without a daily commitment, Sublocade would be a better fit for that goal,” the article concludes.
ReVIDA® Recovery has years of experience treating OUD throughout Tennessee and Virginia. Their outpatient program includes therapy sessions in combination with MAT with Suboxone and Sublocade. Their staff has seen how successful MAT is in treating this life-threatening disorder. To learn more about ReVIDA® Recovery, call 423-631-0432 or visit their website.
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For more information about ReVIDA® Recovery Johnson City, contact the company here:
ReVIDA® Recovery Johnson City
Leah Wilcher
423-631-0432
generalinfo@revidarecovery.com
3114 Browns Mill Road,
Johnson City, TN, 37604
