Opioid Use Disorder and Sublocade Treatment: A Path to Recovery
Opioid use disorder is a medical condition, not a moral failing, and effective treatment exists. At Family Psychiatry, we work with patients throughout the recovery process, including medication assisted options like Sublocade that make sustained recovery more manageable.
Understanding opioid use disorder
Opioid use disorder involves a pattern of opioid use that leads to significant impairment or distress, whether the opioids involved are prescription pain medications or illicit substances. It changes brain chemistry in ways that make quitting on willpower alone extremely difficult for most people. That is exactly why medical treatment, rather than self management, gives patients the best chance at lasting recovery.
What is Sublocade?
Sublocade is an FDA approved, extended release injectable form of buprenorphine used to treat opioid use disorder in patients who have already started treatment with a buprenorphine product. Unlike daily medications that require remembering a dose each day, Sublocade is administered as a monthly injection by a healthcare provider.
Benefits of this approach include:
Steady medication levels throughout the month, without the ups and downs of daily dosing
No need to store, transport, or manage medication at home
Reduced risk of missed doses that can interrupt treatment
Support in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms
What treatment looks like
Starting Sublocade typically follows an initial period of treatment with sublingual buprenorphine to ensure the medication is well tolerated. From there, monthly injections are given at our office as part of an ongoing treatment plan. Sublocade is most effective when combined with counseling and behavioral support, and our team works with patients to build a full recovery plan rather than relying on medication alone.
Who might benefit
Sublocade may be appropriate for adults who:
Have been diagnosed with opioid use disorder
Have already been stabilized on a buprenorphine containing medication
Want a treatment option that reduces the burden of daily dosing
Are committed to ongoing follow up care as part of recovery
A judgment free approach to recovery
We understand that reaching out for addiction treatment takes courage. Our goal is to provide a confidential, respectful environment where patients feel supported rather than judged, with treatment plans built around each person's specific history and goals.
Getting started at Family Psychiatry
Dr. Mohammad Saeed and the clinical team at Family Psychiatry provide drug dependence and addiction treatment, including Sublocade for opioid use disorder, for patients throughout League City, Clear Lake, Friendswood, and the greater Houston area.
Call 281 554 0123 or request an appointment online to take the next step toward recovery.
