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Sublocade Injections: Long-Acting Addiction Treatment That Fits Your Life
Managing daily medication can be challenging when you’re building a new life in recovery. Sublocade injections offer a convenient alternative – just one monthly addiction medication provides continuous addiction treatment.
What is Sublocade?
Sublocade is a long-acting form of buprenorphine given as a monthly injection. It provides the same benefits as daily Suboxone but lasts for a full month.
This monthly addiction medication eliminates the need for:
Daily clinic visits
Daily pill taking
Worry about missed doses
Storage of take-home medications
How Sublocade Works
The injection slowly releases buprenorphine over 28 days, providing steady medication levels. This consistent dosing helps:
Reduce cravings continuously
Prevent withdrawal symptoms
Maintain stability in recovery
Support focus on rebuilding your life
Benefits of Long-Acting Addiction Treatment
Convenience
One injection per month instead of daily medication
Fewer clinic visits
Better for people with busy work schedules
Ideal for those who travel frequently
Consistency
Steady medication levels all month
No ups and downs from daily dosing
Reduced risk of missing doses
Better symptom control
Privacy
No bottles of medication at home
Discrete treatment option
Maintains confidentiality at work
Who is a Good Candidate for Sublocade?
Sublocade works best for people who:
Are stable on Suboxone treatment
Want more convenience in their treatment
Have difficulty with daily medication routines
Need flexible treatment due to work or travel
Want to reduce clinic visit frequency
Starting Sublocade Treatment
Before starting injections, you’ll often need to be stable on Suboxone tablets for at least 7 days. This ensures the medication works well for you.
The transition process includes:
Assessment by our addiction medicine doctors
Discussion of benefits and considerations
Planning your injection schedule
Monitoring for the first few months
What to Expect During Treatment
First Injection:
Quick appointment at our clinic
Injection given in your abdomen
Brief monitoring period
Scheduling next month’s appointment
Ongoing Injections:
Quick check-in with the medical team
Injection and brief observation
Prescription for any additional medications needed
Not all addiction treatment centres in Ontario offer Sublocade. We’re proud to provide this advanced treatment option to our patients.
Cost and Coverage
Sublocade may be covered by:
Private insurance plans
Some provincial programs
Compassionate use programs
Our team helps navigate insurance and payment options to make treatment accessible.
Comparing Sublocade to Other Treatments
Sublocade vs. Daily Suboxone:
Same medication, different delivery
Better convenience and compliance
Similar effectiveness
Potentially better for busy lifestyles
Sublocade vs. Methadone:
Less frequent clinic visits
Different medication mechanism
May work better for some people
More treatment flexibility
Potential Side Effects
Side effects are generally mild and similar to daily Suboxone:
Injection site reactions (minor)
Nausea (usually temporary)
Headache
Fatigue
Most side effects improve as your body adjusts to the treatment.
Life After Starting Sublocade
Many patients report that monthly injections help them:
Focus more on recovery goals
Maintain employment more easily
Feel more “normal” in daily life
Have better treatment compliance
Experience improved quality of life
Is Sublocade Right for You?
The best way to know is to discuss it with our addiction medicine specialists. We’ll review your treatment history, lifestyle, and goals to determine if Sublocade is a suitable option for you.
Getting Started with Sublocade
Interested in learning more about long-acting addiction treatment? Visit any Arrow Medical location to discuss Sublocade with our team.
Call us today or walk in to explore this convenient treatment option. We’re here to help you find the addiction treatment that best fits your life and recovery goals.
Sublocade Injections for Addiction Treatment | Arrow Medical
