ReVIDA Recovery Issues Warning: The Hidden Dangers of Substance Use with Sublocade

Fort Sanders, Tennessee -

Knoxville, TN – ReVIDA® Recovery is a local rehab clinic that specializes in treating opioid use disorder at their facilities throughout Tennessee and Virginia. Recently, the organization released an article warning about the dangers of using substances while taking Sublocade to treat opioid use disorder.

Sublocade is an extended-release medication that is effective in treating opioid use disorder. The medication is administered as a shot once a month by a doctor. Sublocade, which is first injected as a liquid, becomes a gel once it’s in the body. That gel releases a consistent amount of its active ingredient, Buprenorphine, throughout the course of the month.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, so it attaches to opioid receptors like any other opioid would, but it has a “ceiling effect.” In other words, patients don’t feel high after taking Buprenorphine like they do when consuming other opioids.

Sublocade is intended to reduce cravings for opioids, eliminate withdrawal symptoms, and prevent patients from feeling high if they do take an opioid. Even though patients can’t feel high if they take opioids while on Sublocade, it is still not safe to do so.

“Respiratory depression is a major risk associated with opioid use. While it is safe to take Sublocade on its own, combining it with other opioids can severely slow down your breathing. In severe cases, your breathing could stop.

"Respiratory depression impairs the body’s ability to get oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. If this goes on untreated for long enough, it can lead to brain damage, heart problems, hypertension, and even coma.

"Opioids are also known for their sedative effect. If you mix Sublocade with other opioids, the two can have a severe sedentary effect. This means you can’t be woken by stimuli, like noises or physical touch.

"This can be especially dangerous when you need to be aware of your surroundings. If you fall asleep while driving or operating heavy machinery, you could easily hurt yourself or someone else,” the article states.

Taking opioids while on Sublocade can also cause digestive issues. Constipation, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and flatulence are all common effects of illicit opioid use. If a patient takes illicit opioids while on Sublocade, these conditions could be compounded.

“It is not a good idea to use any substances while on Sublocade. In particular, any substance that works as a depressant could be dangerous. Depressants slow down the central nervous system. Since opioids work as depressants, combining Sublocade with another depressant, like alcohol or benzodiazepines, can increase depressive effects. This leads to slurred speech, dizziness, muscle weakness, lightheadedness, and a lack of concentration.

"On the other hand, mixing stimulants with Sublocade is also harmful. Even though Sublocade has a ceiling effect, its active ingredient is still an opioid. Mixing stimulants with opioids is dangerous because they mask some of each other’s symptoms. Unfortunately, this can lead to the warning signs of an overdose going unnoticed until it’s too late,” the article continues.

The biggest concern when it comes to illicit opioid use is always an overdose. Patients will not overdose on Sublocade when using it on its own. However, combining Sublocade with other opioids can seriously increase the risk of an overdose.

“An opioid overdose is a serious medical event. If you or someone you are with experiences an opioid overdose, you need to get medical attention immediately. Over-the-counter medications like Naloxone are lifesaving and reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. There is no similar treatment for stimulant overdose.

"Remember, Tennessee has a good samaritan law. This means that anyone who calls for medical help in the case of an overdose will not be charged for any substance use they were participating in at the time,” the article concludes.

ReVIDA® Recovery has empowered many people to find success in recovery from opioid use disorders. Their program utilizes outpatient behavioral therapies in combination with Sublocade treatment, which they offer at all of their locations. ReVIDA® accepts commercial insurance in addition to Medicaid. Patients without insurance should contact ReVIDA® to get more information about scholarship options. To learn more about ReVIDA® Recovery, call 423-631-0432 or visit their website.