Lotus Addiction and Recovery Center
One of the most important parts of my job is making sure you understand exactly what you are taking and why. Medication Assisted Treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Different medications work differently, have different delivery methods, and suit different situations.
Below is a straightforward breakdown of the medications I prescribe. If you have questions about any of them – or if you have tried one before and want to talk through what a different option might look like – that is exactly the kind of conversation we have in your first appointment.
There is no single medication that works best for everyone. What matters is finding the one that fits your body, your lifestyle, and your goals. Here is an honest look at what I prescribe and why.
▪️Delivery: Film or tablet ▪️For: Opioid use disorder Suboxone is the most widely recognized medication in MAT and has decades of clinical research behind it. It comes in either a dissolvable film or a tablet and is taken daily under the tongue. Suboxone contains two active ingredients - buprenorphine, which reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and naloxone, which is included to discourage misuse. Why some patients choose Suboxone: ▪️Well established with a long track record of effectiveness ▪️Available in both film and tablet form ▪️Widely studied and understood
▪️Delivery: Sublingual tablet ▪️For: Opioid use disorder Zubsolv contains the same active ingredients as Suboxone but with a few practical differences that make it a better fit for some patients. Why some patients choose Zubsolv: ▪️Mint flavor makes daily dosing more pleasant ▪️Dissolves faster - typically within five minutes ▪️Available in lower doses than Suboxone, which can make tapering easier if reducing or stopping medication is your goal
▪️Delivery: Monthly injection ▪️For: Opioid use disorder Sublocade delivers buprenorphine as a once-monthly injection administered in the office. Unlike Suboxone and Zubsolv, Sublocade does not contain naloxone. Why some patients choose Sublocade: ▪️No daily medication to remember ▪️Well suited for a busy lifestyle ▪️Has a 60-day half life, which supports a gradual, natural taper if that is your goal ▪️Removes the daily reminder of taking medication, which some patients find freeing
▪️Delivery: Weekly or monthly injection ▪️For: Opioid use disorder Brixadi is an injectable form of buprenorphine that offers more flexibility than other injectable options. Like Sublocade, it does not contain naloxone. Why some patients choose Brixadi: ▪️No daily medication to remember ▪️Well suited for a busy lifestyle ▪️Has a 60-day half life, which supports a gradual, natural taper if that is your goal ▪️Removes the daily reminder of taking medication, which some patients find freeing
▪️Delivery: Monthly injection ▪️For: Opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder Vivitrol is the only medication I prescribe that treats both opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. It works differently from buprenorphine-based medications - rather than activating opioid receptors, it blocks them entirely, reducing cravings for both opioids and alcohol. Suboxone contains two active ingredients - buprenorphine, which reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and naloxone, which is included to discourage misuse. Why some patients choose Vivitrol: ▪️Once-monthly injection means no daily medication ▪️Effective for both opioid and alcohol use disorder ▪️A good option for patients who want a non-buprenorphine path ▪️No risk of physical dependence on the medication itself Important note: Vivitrol requires a period of abstinence from opioids before starting to avoid precipitated withdrawal. We will plan that timing carefully together.
That is completely normal and it is one of the most common questions I get in first appointments. You do not need to arrive with a preference. Part of what I do is listen to your lifestyle, your history with medications, your goals for treatment, and your daily routine – and then give you an honest recommendation based on all of that.
If you have tried one of these medications before and it was not the right fit, that is worth talking about too. A previous experience that did not work is not a reason to rule out medication entirely. It may just mean a different medication, a different dose, or a different kind of support around it.
No. Your treatment plan is not set in stone. If a medication is not working well for you – whether that is side effects, lifestyle fit, or just not feeling right – we talk about it and adjust. The goal is to find what works, not to lock you into something that does not.
Both contain buprenorphine as the active ingredient. The main differences are delivery method (daily film or tablet vs monthly injection) and the fact that Suboxone contains naloxone while Sublocade does not. Some patients prefer the convenience of a monthly injection. Others prefer the control of daily dosing. We will figure out which suits you better.
Yes. It happens and it is not a setback. Different medications suit different people and sometimes it takes a little adjustment to find the right fit.
Yes. All of the medications I prescribe are FDA-approved and have been studied extensively for long term use. Staying on maintenance medication for months or years is a clinically supported and completely legitimate choice. The timeline of your treatment is something we decide together based on how you are doing, not on an arbitrary deadline.
Coverage varies depending on your plan. I recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to ask about MAT medication coverage. I am happy to provide documentation to support any prior authorization requests.