In many cases, opioid withdrawal is an unpleasant process—fortunately, our medical professionals can prescribe drugs that ease the withdrawal process.

Those FDA-approved drugs include:

• Subutex – The active ingredient in Subutex is Buprenorphine—a partial opioid antagonist. This means it binds to opioid receptors and has the same pain-relieving effects as an opiate. The difference is, that Subutex doesn’t provide the addictive, euphoric feeling that opioids provide.
• Sublocade – Essentially, Sublocade is the extended-release version of Subutex. It is injected by a medical professional once per month and is typically used to treat individuals suffering from moderate to severe opiate addiction who have previously used Subutex or Suboxone.
• Suboxone – Subutex and Suboxone function similarly, but Suboxone has one key difference. It contains naloxone—a full opioid antagonist that is used to avoid Buprenorphine misuse. Whereas Subutex can be misused if administered improperly, Suboxone completely blocks the opioid receptors (Note: injecting Suboxone can cause immediate withdrawal).

While Subutex and Sublocade do present the opportunity for misuse and relapse, the advantage of the medically assisted treatment is these drugs are only administered under professional supervision.

Before any of these drugs are administered, StillDetox doctors and nurses will learn every individual’s needs and weigh their options carefully.

This dedication to individualized care allows us to utilize Buprenorphine safely and effectively during the withdrawal process.