Sublocade Doctor in New Jersey
Monthly extended-release buprenorphine injection for opioid use disorder — no daily medication, no daily decision. Integrated into PHP and IOP at Cherry Hill Recovery Center.
What Is Sublocade?
Sublocade is the brand name for extended-release injectable buprenorphine — an FDA-approved monthly subcutaneous injection for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder. Unlike Suboxone which requires a daily sublingual film or tablet, Sublocade delivers a full month of buprenorphine in a single injection administered by a healthcare provider. Once the injection is given the medication releases steadily into the bloodstream over the course of the month — providing consistent therapeutic levels without the daily ritual of oral medication.
The Key Difference — No Daily Medication
The most significant clinical advantage of Sublocade over daily Suboxone is adherence. Research consistently shows that daily medication adherence is one of the primary challenges in MAT — missed doses reduce therapeutic effectiveness and increase relapse risk. Sublocade eliminates this challenge entirely. Once the monthly injection is administered the medication works continuously for the next 28 to 30 days — whether or not the patient remembers to take anything. For patients who struggle with daily medication routines or who prefer the simplicity and certainty of a monthly injection, Sublocade offers a meaningful clinical advantage.
Sublocade at CHRC — Always Part of a Program
At Cherry Hill Recovery Center Sublocade is integrated into PHP or IOP programming when clinically appropriate and agreed upon by the medical team and patient. It is never prescribed as a standalone service outside of a clinical treatment program. The monthly injection is coordinated around the patient's program schedule — typically administered during a treatment visit — so medication management and clinical care are seamlessly aligned.
How Sublocade Works
Sublocade contains the same active ingredient as Suboxone — buprenorphine — but in a radically different delivery format. The injection uses an ATRIGEL polymer delivery system that forms a solid deposit under the skin immediately after injection. This deposit releases buprenorphine steadily into the bloodstream over 28 to 30 days — maintaining consistent therapeutic blood levels without the peaks and troughs associated with daily oral dosing.
Consistent buprenorphine levels throughout the month provide several clinical benefits. There are no periods of reduced medication effect between doses — a common challenge with daily Suboxone where blood levels drop overnight. There is no opportunity for dose manipulation. And there is no daily decision point where ambivalence about recovery can translate into a missed dose.
Consistent Monthly Coverage
Steady buprenorphine levels throughout the month — no peaks and troughs from daily dosing, no overnight drop in medication effect.
Zero Daily Adherence Burden
Once the monthly injection is administered medication management is complete for the month. No pills, no films, no daily decision required.
Administered by Provider
Sublocade is injected by a healthcare provider — it cannot be self-administered. This means every dose is confirmed delivered and monitored clinically.
Sublocade vs Suboxone — Which Is Right for You?
Both Sublocade and Suboxone contain buprenorphine and are FDA-approved for opioid use disorder. The choice between them depends on your clinical situation, lifestyle, and preferences. Neither is universally superior — our medical team discusses both options with every patient for whom buprenorphine treatment is being considered.
| Sublocade | Suboxone | |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ingredient | Buprenorphine only | Buprenorphine + Naloxone |
| Format | Monthly subcutaneous injection | Daily sublingual film or tablet |
| Administered | By provider only | Self-administered at home |
| Adherence | No daily medication required | Daily medication required |
| Dose Flexibility | Fixed monthly dose | Flexible — can adjust daily |
| Starting | Must already be stable on buprenorphine first | Can start in mild to moderate withdrawal |
| Best for | Adherence concerns, lifestyle simplicity, established patients | Induction phase, dose flexibility preference, early treatment |
Note on starting Sublocade: Patients must already be stabilized on buprenorphine — typically through a period on Suboxone first — before transitioning to Sublocade. You cannot start Sublocade from active opioid use directly. Our medical team manages this transition as part of the treatment program.
What to Expect — The Sublocade Injection
Sublocade is administered as a subcutaneous injection — meaning it is injected just under the skin in the abdominal area, not into a vein or muscle. The injection takes under a minute to administer. Most patients report mild discomfort at the injection site that resolves within a few days. A small firm lump may be palpable under the skin at the injection site — this is the polymer depot and is normal. It gradually dissolves over the course of the month.
The injection is always administered by a healthcare provider — it cannot be taken home. At Cherry Hill Recovery Center Sublocade injections are administered during scheduled appointments that align with the patient's PHP or IOP program schedule — so the injection visit does not require an additional trip to a separate provider.
Sublocade injections must only be administered by a certified healthcare provider using the SUBLOCADE REMS Program. They cannot be sold, given, or administered outside of a clinical setting. If you encounter anyone offering to administer Sublocade outside of a licensed medical facility — this is not legitimate.
Sublocade for Opioid Use Disorder
Does Insurance Cover Sublocade in New Jersey?
Yes. Most major insurance plans cover Sublocade for opioid use disorder treatment. Coverage applies to both the medication and the clinical programming — PHP or IOP — in which it is integrated. Because Sublocade is more expensive than daily Suboxone, some plans require prior authorization before approving it. Our admissions team handles the prior authorization process and verifies your specific coverage before treatment begins — at no cost to you.
Our Medical Team
Sublocade treatment at Cherry Hill Recovery Center is managed by our licensed medical and clinical team — overseen by our Chief Medical Officer, board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Simon. Every patient receiving Sublocade has their injection and medication management coordinated by the same team overseeing their PHP or IOP program — ensuring fully integrated care with no gap between medication and clinical treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sublocade in New Jersey
Monthly Buprenorphine Treatment in New Jersey — No Daily Medication Required.
Sublocade integrated into PHP or IOP at Cherry Hill Recovery Center. Most insurance accepted. Free assessment. Available 24 hours a day.