As much as we try to prevent the onslaught in our streets, the Opioid Crisis doesn’t seem to be losing steam anytime soon. In fact, this public health epidemic seems to have gotten worse over the past two decades, with the use of drugs like fentanyl (the drug that caused the untimely deaths of singers Prince and Tom Petty) fanning the flames of this numbing fire. However, recently, medical researchers have developed a new method for treating opioid use disorder, and, miraculously, it appears to be working. Recently gaining approval from Health Canada, the drug called Sublocade has (so far) been administered to a string of Americans suffering from opioid abuse and addiction, and officials in Canada are hopeful for the drug to emerge on their market sometime soon.
A Closer Look at Sublocade
Recent figures have confirmed that roughly 1,380 people died as a direct result of drug overdoses from January 1 to November 30, 2018 in British Columbia (not a promising decrease from the 1,400 deaths reported in 2017). At this time, physicians including Dr. Seonaid Nolan are desperate to find a way to prevent future drug-related deaths, and she and her colleagues are very hopeful that the U.S. drug Sublocade could be the answer to this problem. According to Dr. Nolan, Sublocade has not only shown promising rates of success but has also proven to be more effective than its counterpart Suboxone.
Ultimately, this new wonder drug could also solve another major issue: keeping to a schedule. Suboxone has been manufactured as a pill, which is not always easy for an opioid addict to remember to take on a daily basis. Sublocade, on the other hand, is a 30-day slow release treatment that is administered via vaccination.
Will This Drug Work?
Indivior (an addiction treatment company that produces Suboxone) has also developed Sublocade, which is currently sold at $1,600 US per month (two times more expensive than Suboxone). Still, some doctors have argued that, due to the drug’s effectiveness, the price is totally worth paying. In fact, Dr. David Clements (a Philadelphia-based psychiatrist) has argued that Sublocade could be the miracle drug that could destroy the Opioid Crisis permanently. Patients who have received this drug have experienced a 100% rate of sobriety (as shocking as that may sound), while patients using suboxone have only experienced a 40% to 60% sobriety rate.
Seeking Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid use disorder is a terrifying aspect of reality. Still, with the correct treatment methods and medications like Sublocade, you could easily kick this dangerous behavior to the curb. If you are suffering from opioid abuse or addiction of any sort, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process detox and withdrawal and guide you through each step of the rehabilitation process to help you separate yourself from these substances.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can beat your heroin addiction today.
