Sublocade Treatment in Raleigh, NC
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Medically Reviewed by
Dr. R. Dewayne Book
Dr. R. Dewayne Book serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Advaita Health, overseeing medical services across Green Hill Recovery and Advaita Integrated Medicine.
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Recovery from opioid addiction can be difficult, especially when cravings and withdrawal symptoms continue to interfere with daily life.
For some individuals, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) can provide the stability needed to focus on recovery, therapy, and rebuilding a healthy routine.
Sublocade is a once-monthly injectable medication used to treat opioid use disorder.
By providing consistent medication coverage throughout the month, Sublocade can help reduce cravings, minimize withdrawal symptoms, and support long-term recovery.
Learn more about our addiction medicine programs or verify your insurance now.
What Is Sublocade?
Sublocade is an FDA-approved medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). It contains buprenorphine, a medication that has been shown to reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms while supporting long-term recovery.
Unlike daily medications, Sublocade is administered as a monthly injection by a healthcare provider. Once administered, the medication is gradually released into the body over time, providing consistent support between appointments.
Sublocade is one of several evidence-based medications used in the treatment of opioid addiction and is often combined with therapy, counseling, and recovery support services as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
How Sublocade Works
Sublocade contains buprenorphine, which is known as a partial opioid agonist. This means it activates opioid receptors in the brain, but to a much lesser degree than opioids such as fentanyl, oxycodone, heroin, or morphine.
By partially activating these receptors, Sublocade can help:
- Reduce opioid cravings
- Decrease withdrawal symptoms
- Lower the risk of relapse
- Improve treatment engagement
- Support long-term recovery
For many individuals, opioid addiction becomes a cycle of cravings, substance use, temporary relief, and withdrawal.
Sublocade helps stabilize this cycle by reducing some of the biological forces that can drive continued opioid use.
Unlike Naltrexone and Vivitrol, which block opioid receptors entirely, Sublocade works by partially stimulating those receptors in a controlled and medically supervised way.
Both approaches can be effective, but they work through different mechanisms and may be appropriate for different individuals depending on their treatment history and recovery goals.
What Sublocade Treats
Sublocade is used to help individuals recovering from opioid use disorder, including addiction to fentanyl, heroin, prescription pain medications, and other opioids.
While these substances may differ in how they are obtained or used, they often affect the same areas of the brain and can create similar cycles of cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and continued use.
Learn more about our drug addiction treatment in Raleigh.
Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl can create intense physical dependence and cravings, making recovery particularly challenging. Sublocade may help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms while supporting long-term recovery efforts.
Heroin Addiction
Heroin addiction can have significant effects on physical health, mental health, relationships, and daily functioning. Sublocade can provide ongoing support by helping reduce cravings and stabilizing recovery.
Prescription Pain Pill Addiction
Addiction to medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and other prescription opioids can develop gradually over time. Sublocade may help individuals reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms, and focus more fully on recovery.
Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid use disorder is the medical term used to describe addiction involving fentanyl, heroin, prescription pain medications, and other opioids. By helping reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, Sublocade can support individuals as they work toward long-term recovery.
What to Expect During Sublocade Treatment
The treatment process begins with an evaluation by one of our medical providers. During this appointment, we review your substance use history, previous treatment experiences, current symptoms, and recovery goals.
If Sublocade is determined to be appropriate, your provider will discuss the treatment process, answer questions, and monitor your progress over time.
Many individuals report experiencing:
- Reduced opioid cravings
- Fewer withdrawal symptoms
- Greater day-to-day stability
- Improved ability to focus on recovery
Regular follow-up appointments allow our team to monitor progress and ensure treatment continues to align with your needs and goals.
Who Is a Candidate for Sublocade Treatment?
Sublocade may be a good fit for individuals who are looking for additional support in managing opioid cravings and maintaining recovery.
While recovery looks different for everyone, many people find that reducing the constant focus on cravings and withdrawal allows them to spend more time building healthy routines, strengthening relationships, and engaging in treatment.
Sublocade may be a good fit for individuals who:
- Are recovering from opioid use disorder
- Experience ongoing cravings
- Have struggled with relapse
- Want a long-acting medication option
- Prefer a monthly injection rather than daily medication
- Are seeking additional support during recovery
The best way to determine whether Sublocade is appropriate is through a comprehensive medical evaluation with one of our addiction medicine providers.
Sublocade as Part of a Complete Recovery Plan
Medication can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but recovery involves much more than managing physical symptoms.
The goal of recovery isn’t to “stop using”. The goal of recovery is to develop the skills that help you build such a meaningful life that going back to substances would feel less appealing.
At Green Hill, Sublocade is often combined with therapy, psychiatric care, recovery coaching, and other support services when appropriate.
Medication may provide stability, while therapy helps individuals develop coping skills, strengthen relationships, address underlying challenges, and build a life that supports long-term recovery.
Addiction Therapy
Therapy helps individuals better understand the thoughts, behaviors, and life circumstances that contribute to substance use. It also provides practical tools for managing stress, preventing relapse, and building a healthier future.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our Intensive Outpatient Program provides structured treatment while allowing individuals to continue living at home and maintaining many of their daily responsibilities.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
For individuals who need additional support, our Partial Hospitalization Program offers a higher level of care that combines therapy, medical services, psychiatric support, and recovery programming.
Comparing Your MAT Options
There is no single Medication-Assisted Treatment option that is right for everyone.
Some individuals may benefit from Sublocade’s long-acting buprenorphine formulation, while others may prefer medications such as Naltrexone or Vivitrol. The right choice depends on factors such as substance use history, treatment goals, medical needs, and personal preferences.
Our medical team can help you evaluate your options and determine which approach may be the best fit for your recovery.
Insurance and Getting Started
Choosing a medication for opioid use disorder can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to understand treatment options, insurance coverage, and next steps.
Green Hill is in-network with most major insurance providers, helping make addiction treatment and Medication-Assisted Treatment more accessible for many individuals and families.
Our admissions team can help verify your benefits, answer questions about Sublocade, and connect you with a medical provider to discuss whether this treatment may be appropriate for your needs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Sublocade is an FDA-approved monthly injection containing buprenorphine that is used to treat opioid use disorder.
Sublocade works by partially activating opioid receptors in the brain. This helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms while supporting recovery from opioid addiction.
Both medications contain buprenorphine, but they are administered differently. Suboxone is typically taken daily, while Sublocade is administered as a once-monthly injection by a healthcare provider.
No. Sublocade contains buprenorphine, while Vivitrol contains naltrexone. These medications work through different mechanisms and may be appropriate for different individuals.
Yes. One of the primary benefits of Sublocade is its ability to reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Each Sublocade injection is designed to provide medication coverage for approximately one month.
Many insurance plans provide coverage for Sublocade treatment. Our admissions team can help verify your benefits and explain coverage options before treatment begins.
Start Sublocade Treatment in Raleigh, NC
If you are struggling with opioid addiction, ongoing cravings, or repeated relapse, Sublocade may be an option worth considering.
Contact Green Hill today to verify insurance benefits, schedule an assessment, and learn whether Sublocade may be a good fit for your recovery plan.