Buprenorphine Treatment: Suboxone, Brixadi & Sublocade
At Recovery Unlimited, we offer compassionate, evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder with buprenorphine, available as a daily medication (Suboxone), a weekly or monthly injection (Brixadi), or a monthly injection (Sublocade). Each option reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms so you can focus on what matters: restoring stability, rebuilding relationships, and reclaiming control of your life. Our team will help you find the option that fits your history, goals, and routine, and pair it with counseling and ongoing support.
Which Option Fits You?
All three medications use buprenorphine to reduce cravings and withdrawal. The main difference is how and how often you receive it. Our providers will help you choose the right fit, and many patients move between options as their recovery progresses.
Suboxone
Daily film or tablet
- How oftenOnce daily
- WhereTaken at home
- ContainsBuprenorphine + naloxone
- Good fit forStarting treatment, flexibility
Brixadi
Weekly or monthly injection
- How oftenWeekly or monthly
- WhereGiven in clinic
- ContainsExtended-release buprenorphine
- Good fit forFlexible dosing as you stabilize
Sublocade
Monthly injection
- How oftenOnce monthly
- WhereGiven in clinic
- ContainsExtended-release buprenorphine
- Good fit forSteady support, no daily dosing
Our Buprenorphine Options
Select a medication to learn how it works and why it may be right for you.
Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone)
Suboxone is an FDA-approved daily medication that combines buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that relieves withdrawal and reduces cravings, with naloxone, which helps prevent misuse. It stabilizes brain chemistry so you can engage fully in therapy and counseling, all in an outpatient setting that lets you keep your daily routine.
- Clinically proven. Suboxone treatment is associated with roughly a 50% reduction in the risk of fatal overdose compared to untreated opioid use disorder.
- Built-in safeguard. The naloxone component deters misuse by causing withdrawal if the medication is injected.
- Convenient. Suboxone is prescribed and taken at home, giving you flexibility around work and family.
Brixadi (Extended-Release Buprenorphine)
Brixadi is a long-acting buprenorphine injection for moderate to severe opioid use disorder. It is given by a provider either weekly or monthly, so your treatment can be adjusted as your recovery progresses.
- Weekly or monthly flexibility. Dosing can be adjusted based on your recovery stage, stability, and provider guidance.
- Reduced cravings and withdrawal. Steady buprenorphine levels give you a more stable starting point in early recovery.
- No daily dosing. Medication support continues without managing a dose every day.
Weekly Brixadi
More frequent touchpoints, often helpful in early recovery or while your dose is still being adjusted.
Monthly Brixadi
Longer-acting support with fewer visits, a strong fit once you are stable and want structure with less frequent appointments.
Sublocade (Monthly Buprenorphine Injection)
Sublocade is a once-monthly buprenorphine injection administered by a medical provider. It provides consistent medication support all month long, with no daily dosing to remember.
- Consistent monthly support. One provider visit per month keeps medication levels steady and removes the burden of a daily routine.
- Reduced cravings and withdrawal. Feeling physically stable makes it easier to focus on counseling, responsibilities, and daily life.
- Built for structure and simplicity. Regular visits reinforce accountability and keep you connected to your care team.
What to Expect During Treatment
Whichever medication you choose, treatment at Recovery Unlimited follows a structured, supportive process built around your safety and goals.
- Initial AssessmentA full medical and psychological evaluation covering your health history, substance use history, symptoms, and treatment goals.
- Starting Medication SafelyTreatment begins with medically supervised buprenorphine to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
- StabilizationYour provider fine-tunes your dose or injection schedule to manage cravings while minimizing side effects.
- Ongoing Recovery SupportRegular medication management combined with counseling, behavioral therapy, and accountability to sustain long-term recovery.
Considering an injection? Brixadi and Sublocade are usually started after you have begun treatment with daily buprenorphine. Your provider will let you know when you are ready to make the switch.
Benefits of Buprenorphine Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine gives you a stable foundation so you can put your energy into recovery.
Proven Effectiveness
Buprenorphine treatment lowers the risk of overdose death by about 50% compared to untreated opioid use disorder. (SAMHSA, 2023)
Fewer Cravings and Less Withdrawal
Buprenorphine eases withdrawal symptoms and cravings, helping you focus on your recovery. (USDOJ)
Better Treatment Retention
Adequate buprenorphine dosing is associated with people staying in treatment longer, supporting sustained recovery. (NIDA)
Options That Fit Your Life
Daily, weekly, and monthly options let your treatment match your routine and adjust as your recovery progresses.
Enhanced Quality of Life
Stable treatment helps you maintain employment, rebuild relationships, and improve your overall well-being, with regular care team visits keeping you on track.
Common Questions About Buprenorphine Treatment
Here are answers to the questions we hear most often. If you have others, our team is here to help.
What is the difference between Suboxone, Brixadi, and Sublocade?
All three use buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder. Suboxone is a daily film or tablet you take at home and also contains naloxone. Brixadi is an injection given weekly or monthly in clinic. Sublocade is an injection given once a month in clinic.
How quickly does buprenorphine work?
Most patients feel relief from withdrawal symptoms and cravings within hours to days of starting treatment.
Do I give myself the Brixadi or Sublocade injection at home?
No. Both injections are administered by a licensed provider during scheduled clinic visits.
Can I become addicted to buprenorphine?
When taken under medical supervision, buprenorphine has a significantly lower risk of dependency than other opioids.
Can I switch from methadone to buprenorphine?
Yes. Our medical team can safely transition you from methadone with careful planning.
Will buprenorphine show up on a drug test?
Buprenorphine usually does not appear on standard drug tests but can be detected in specialized tests. Its use is legally protected when prescribed.
What are common side effects?
Common mild side effects include nausea, headache, and dizziness, which are typically manageable and short-term. With injections, some patients also notice soreness, redness, or itching at the injection site.
Will I still need counseling or support services?
Yes. Medication-assisted treatment works best when paired with counseling, behavioral support, and ongoing care.
How do I know which option is right for me?
The best way is to talk with a provider. Our team will review your history, needs, and goals to help you choose the best fit.
Is treatment covered by insurance?
Many insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, cover medication-assisted treatment. We will help you verify your coverage and navigate your options.