If you or someone you care about is facing the challenges of opioid use disorder (OUD), you’re not alone. It’s a tough journey, but there’s so much hope and help available. One important tool in the fight against OUD is a medication called Sublocade. This article will help you understand what Sublocade is, how it works, where you can get it, and what you can expect.

What is Sublocade?

Sublocade is a monthly injection that helps people who are recovering from opioid use disorder. It contains a medicine called buprenorphine, which has been used for many years to help treat addiction.

When someone takes opioids for a long time, their body becomes used to them. This can make it challenging to stop using them, even when they want to. That’s where buprenorphine comes in. It helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms so people can focus on healing and getting their lives back.

Sublocade is different from other buprenorphine medications because it’s not a pill or film that you take every day. Instead, it’s a shot that slowly releases medicine over an entire month. That means just one shot monthly. You don’t have to remember to take a daily dose.

How does Sublocade work?

Sublocade works by slowly releasing buprenorphine into your body. This helps keep a steady level of the medication in your system, which helps to prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Your brain has areas called opioid receptors where opioids usually attach. When opioids sit in these spots, they cause the high and can also lead to dependence. Buprenorphine, the medicine in Sublocade, can also attach to these spots.

Here’s the important part to know about Sublocade:

• Reduces cravings — By attaching to the opioid receptors, buprenorphine helps quiet down the strong cravings that can make recovery so hard. It tells your brain, “It’s OK, you don’t need more opioids right now.”
• Eases withdrawal — It also helps prevent and lessen the awful withdrawal symptoms, like muscle aches, nausea, and feeling restless. These withdrawal symptoms happen when the opioids leave your system. Easing these symptoms can help you feel more comfortable and focus on getting well.
• Reduces the effects of other opioids — Another key benefit of Sublocade is that it reduces the effects of other opioids. If someone were to use other opioids while on Sublocade, those opioids wouldn’t be able to attach to the receptors as easily. This means they likely wouldn’t feel the high, which can be a big help in helping to prevent using again.

Unlike some other medications for OUD that you take every day, Sublocade is given as a once-a-month shot. This can be a huge benefit for many people, as it takes away the daily worry of remembering to take medication and offers a steady level of medicine in your body all the time. No more ups and downs that can happen with daily doses.

Who is Sublocade best for?

Sublocade can be a great option for many people dealing with moderate to severe opioid use disorder. However, it’s not usually the very first step. Most often, doctors will suggest Sublocade for people who have already started treatment with another form of buprenorphine that you take by mouth, like Suboxone.

Sublocade can be a good fit if you:

• Are ready for a long-term solution — Sublocade is meant to be a part of a complete treatment plan that also includes counseling and support. It’s not a quick fix, but a steady foundation for lasting recovery.
• Want a convenient treatment — If remembering to take a daily medication seems stressful, a monthly shot can be a great relief.
• Are looking for stable relief — Because Sublocade releases the medicine slowly and steadily, it can help you feel more even-keeled throughout the month, with fewer cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Are committed to ongoing care — You’ll still need to see your doctor regularly for your monthly shot and counseling.

What to expect with the Sublocade shot

If you’re nervous about getting a shot, that’s totally normal. But you’re in a safe and supportive space when you get it. Sublocade is given by a health care provider in a licensed clinic or a doctor’s office. You won’t be injecting it yourself.

Here’s what generally happens when you receive your Sublocade shot:

• Preparation — Your health care provider will get the Sublocade ready. It comes in a specific syringe.
• Choosing the spot — The shot is given just under the skin, this is called subcutaneous, in your abdomen, thigh, buttock, or the back of your upper arm. Your health care provider will pick the best spot and may rotate where they give you the shot each month.
• The shot itself — Your health care provider will clean the area and then give the injection. You may feel a quick pinch or sting, but it’s usually over very fast.
• The depot — After the injection, the liquid medicine forms a tiny, soft lump under your skin. This depot is like a tiny, slow-releasing sponge that steadily lets out the buprenorphine into your body over the whole month.
• After the shot — You may feel a small bump at the injection site for a while, but it will gradually go away as the medicine is released. It’s important not to rub or massage the injection site. You’ll also want to avoid wearing tight clothing or belts that may rub against it.

Remember, this injection process is only done by a trained health care professional who knows how to make it as comfortable as possible for you.

Where can you get Sublocade shots?

Sublocade isn’t something you can pick up at a regular pharmacy and take home. Because of how it works and to make sure it’s used safely, it’s only available through special programs and health care settings.

Here’s how you can find a place to get Sublocade:

• Talk to your doctor — If you’re already in treatment for OUD, your current doctor or addiction specialist is the best person to talk to. They can tell you if Sublocade is right for you and help you find a certified provider or clinic.
• Groups — Groups offers Sublocade at our Maine locations as part of a pilot program, with plans to expand to other states. We primarily prescribe Suboxone, which is considered the gold standard for OUD treatment. Contact us to learn about current injectable options in your area or discuss our Suboxone program.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a national helpline and a treatment locator tool. They can help you find facilities that offer treatment options such as Sublocade.

It’s essential to remember that Sublocade treatment always includes counseling and support services. It’s a team effort, and your doctor, counselors, and support groups will all play an important part in your recovery.

What about the cost of Sublocade?

It’s natural to wonder about the cost of any medication. Sublocade can be expensive if you pay for it yourself. The wholesale cost can be over $2,000 per monthly dose. However, there are many ways to help make it affordable, and you often won’t pay the full price out of pocket.

Here’s what can help you with the medication cost:

• Insurance coverage — Most private insurance plans, as well as government programs like Medicaid and Medicare, often cover Sublocade. Coverage can vary by state and plan, so it’s a good idea to contact your insurance provider directly to help you understand your specific benefits.
• Copay assistance programs — The company that makes Sublocade, Indivior, offers a program called INSUPPORT Copay Assistance. It’s for commercially insured patients only. If you have private insurance, this program can help you cover some or all of your out-of-pocket costs. It covers up to $1,800 per injection with a max of $14,400 a year. It could potentially help make your first few injections free. This can be a huge help for people in recovery.

Don’t let the worries about cost stop you from exploring Sublocade. There are resources and programs designed to help make this treatment more accessible. Your doctor’s office or the clinic where you get your shots can often help you understand your insurance benefits and connect you with financial assistance programs.

Groups can help you on your path forward by taking that first step with hope

At Groups, you’ll find a community that understands what you’re going through and helps you every step of the way. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to try Sublocade, we’ll meet you where you are. We offer compassionate, affordable treatment, including medication like buprenorphine and support from people who truly care. You deserve care, support, and hope. Sublocade may be the right next step on your path to healing, and Groups is here to support you.

Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today for more information or to begin your recovery. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups does not offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.