Sublocade Injections Near Me in The Woodlands, TX
Quiet places like The Woodlands in Montgomery County are facing a big problem. It's called the opioid crisis. This involves heroin, fentanyl, nitazenes, kratom, tianeptine, and so many other street drugs leading to overdose deaths. Frequently, individuals who have undergone surgery, experienced pain, or suffered trauma are prescribed strong pain medications, such as hydrocodone, morphine, hydromorphone or oxycodone. But this can quickly turn into a dangerous habit that's hard to break. Our friends, neighbors, and family members, might then start using street drugs. Getting high is no longer the goal. Addicts find themselves taking opioids just to prevent the opioid withdrawals.. This problem, called Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), is not just a medical issue; it changes people's lives in sad and serious ways, influencing not just the person but their whole family as well.
The good news is that we offer innovative medication-assisted treatments (MAT) that can help opioid addicts regain control. One of the most exciting new options is Sublocade - a newer buprenorphine injection that continues to work for the whole month after a single injection. Keep reading to learn how Sublocade works and why it presents such a great improvement as part of a treatment program..
A Closer Look at Opioid Use Disorder
Prescription opioid pain relievers and illicit opioids hijack the brain's natural reward system. With continued exposure, progressively more and more opioids are needed to achieve the same high or same pain relief. Over time, the compulsion to use opioids can overshadows everything else in an addict's life. Jobs, relationships, health, responsibilities are no longer as important as avoiding the agonizing pain of opioid withdrawal.
Opioid addiction is not a moral failing or lack of willpower. It literally changes brain structure and function. The condition meets established medical criteria as a chronic relapsing disease. Without proper treatment, OUD has grim prospects. But the medication buprenorphine has given hope to many addicts through its ability to manage withdrawal symptoms, curb cravings and prevent overdose deaths.
Sublocade builds on buprenorphine's strengths by freeing patients from the need to take medication daily. This groundbreaking shift can remove obstacles to recovery and helps prevent misuse of medication.
What Exactly is Sublocade?
Manufactured by Indivior, the same maker of Suboxone, Sublocade contains buprenorphine, the same active ingredient found in Suboxone. Like any other form of buprenorphine used to treat opioid use disorder, Sublocade treats cravings and withdrawal symptoms. As part of an addiction treatment program, addicts can focus on their responsibilities, their families, and stop taking opioids. However, Sublocade has a key difference by using a specialized delivery system to provide sustained-release buprenorphine over the course of one month. After one subcutaneous injection by a Sublocade doctor, the medication forms a solid deposit which slowly dissolves. Therapeutic buprenorphine blood plasma levels persist for the entire month before starting to taper during the fourth week.
Sublocade eliminates the daily medication dosing that oral buprenorphine requires. The once-monthly injections also produce more stable blood levels without peaks and troughs. Patients avoid GI tract absorption issues, dental issues, and experience fewer side effects like headaches or nausea.
The embedded taper effect provides a cushion as the next month's injection approaches. At Premier Health & Wellness The Woodlands, we are finding that Sublocade assists in tapering off of buprenorphine better than the oral form. Thus, we have designed a protocol to help people taper completely off of buprenorphine in a much quicker timeframe. All of these advantages give Sublocade users their best shot at compliance and long-term success beating opioid addiction.
How Sublocade Treatment Works
The recommended dosing regimen starts with two monthly 300 mg injections, followed by 100 mg monthly maintenance doses. After the loading doses reach steady therapeutic levels, most patients only need one brief monthly appointment. That makes keeping up with treatment so much easier long-term.
The injection process only takes about 5-10 minutes. The site is cleaned and a local anesthetic administered before the thin needle is inserted subcutaneously into the abdominal area. There is some burning during injection and occasional residual soreness. But overall Sublocade injections are well-tolerated.
The only facility requirements are basic refrigeration and a locked storage space. Once at room temperature, Sublocade can be administered straight from the shipping container. And self-injection abuse and diversion risks are eliminated by administration under medical supervision.
Sublocade's Advantages Over Other Treatment Options
Daily oral buprenorphine, such as Subutex and Suboxone, is a well-established treatment for OUD. So why choose a new delivery method? Sublocade offers compelling advantages:
Fewer Side Effects - Avoiding medication ups & downs minimizes side effects.
Discreet - No need for carrying medications or remembering daily doses.
Prevents Diversion - Supervised monthly administration prevents misuse.
Simplifies Compliance - Only monthly visits instead of daily dosing.
Gradual Taper - Slow dissipation avoids precipitated withdrawal.
Polysubstance abuse is common with opioid addiction. Many OUD sufferers also battle alcohol, benzodiazepine and stimulant addictions in their efforts to manage their opioid withdrawals. Sublocade helps stay focused on recovery instead of opioid cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
For people struggling through multiple previous relapse cycles, Sublocade may offer a needed fresh start. The injection's set-it-and-forget-it approach better suits real-world conditions.
Finally, Sublocade gives family members peace of mind. Loved ones often safeguard medications or administer daily doses for addicted relatives. With supervised monthly injections, the grind of addiction oversight is lifted, and relationships begin healing.
Sublocade Cost and Availability in The Woodlands, Texas
The only pharmacological treatments proven effective for OUD are buprenorphine, methadone, and extended-release naltrexone. Thankfully, the vast majority of private health plans cover these medication-assisted treatment options.
Most patients pay a typical visit fee for the monthly Sublocade injection and monitoring appointment. For patients without insurance, the monthly cost of Sublocade is high and averages around $1500. However, most addicts admit that this is considerably less than the cost of their addiction. We work with you to obtain discounts from the manufacturer.
Texans have access to plenty of Sublocade providers across the state and nearby by in Houston. However, we want Premier Health & Wellness The Woodlands to be your choice for life-changing Sublocade treatment in The Woodlands area. We handle the insurance authorization process and provide integrated therapy for the best possible odds of long-term recovery success.
Sublocade FAQs
How long does each Sublocade injection last? Steady therapeutic buprenorphine levels persist for around 28 days from each dose. After the first two loading doses, subsequent monthly maintenance injections continue providing effective treatment.
Does the injection site matter? Sublocade is only administered subcutaneously in the abdominal area using a small gauge needle into fatty tissue beneath the skin. Injection sites alternate monthly between left and right sides.
When does the tapering effects begin? The taper effect starts during the 4th week as the embedded buprenorphine matrix begins dissolving. The gradual decrease helps avoid withdrawal symptoms before the next monthly injection.
What happens after finishing Sublocade treatment? It takes around 6 to 12 months for remaining buprenorphine to fully metabolize and excrete after the last injection. Medical teams carefully plan transition, using clonidine, naltrexone, non-opioids, and psychotherapy to prevent relapse.
How long should treatment last? Clinical trials demonstrate Sublocade’s safety and efficacy for up to 12 months. But as a chronic relapsing condition, many patients benefit from continued MAT to sustain recovery. The length depends on the patient’s needs and preferences.
Break the Chains of Opioid Addiction Once and For All
With the advent of innovative medical options like Sublocade, freedom from the chains of opioid addiction is closer than ever. The compulsion to use can relent. Cravings can fade. Clear eyes and clear minds prevail. Serenity fills days previously consumed by desperation. Help is here.
To learn more about how Sublocade treatment offered through Premier Health & Wellness The Woodlands, request a consultation today. Call (832) 653-9888 now to get started.
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