The road to recovery from opioid use is never easy. But Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) has helped thousands of patients take the first steps toward recovery. Daily sublingual medications like films and tablets have long been the foundation of that success.
But as recovery progresses, many patients begin to want something simpler, more consistent, and without daily reminders.
Extended-release medications offer that next step.
As long-acting medications, these treatments give the same support patients want from MAT, but offer a more flexible dosing schedule. Based on the medication, patients can receive weekly or monthly injections that help them maintain stability on their journey over a longer period of time.
Trust our extended-release options to help reduce daily stress while supporting long-term recovery.
Note: Medication availability may vary by clinic. Please visit our clinic location list to see which options are available near you.
Why Choose an Extended-Release Medication Treatment?
The transition to extended-release medication is not just about convenience. It’s about improving how recovery fits into everyday life.
Less Daily Pressure
Taking medication every day can become a constant mental task. With extended-release medication, that daily decision is removed. Let’s help you stop structuring your day around medication and focus on living life.
Built for Real Life
Extended-release medications are especially helpful for:
- Busy work schedules
- Travel or unpredictable routines
- Parents juggling a household
Let the treatment adjust to your life, not the other way around.
Increased Privacy
There is no need to carry medication or store it at home. Stay discreet on your journey, and drop the worry of someone finding your MAT prescriptions.
Improved Safety
Because the medication is given by a healthcare provider:
- There is no risk of lost or stolen medication
- No chance of accidental ingestion by children or pets
- No concerns about misuse or diversion
The Science of the “Steady State”
Extended-release medications work differently from a daily dose, with fluctuating medication levels.
They release medication slowly over time, creating a steady state that can help:
- Reduce cravings more consistently
- Support stable mood and energy levels
- Eliminate the feeling of medication “wearing off”
- Provide a smoother recovery experience
Extended-Release Treatment Options
Extended-release MAT is not one-size-fits-all. Each medication offers a different approach based on your goals, preferences, and stage of recovery.
Below are the three primary extended-release medication options available.
Sublocade is a once-monthly buprenorphine extended-release medication designed for patients seeking long-term stability without daily medication.
Using a solidifying gel delivery system, Sublocade forms a depot under the skin that releases medication steadily over 30 days.
Brixadi offers the most flexible extended-release buprenorphine treatment available, with both weekly and monthly dosing options.
This allows patients to begin with more frequent support and transition to longer intervals as stability improves.
With a smaller injection volume and multiple injection site options, Brixadi provides a highly adaptable treatment experience.
Vivitrol is a non-opioid, once-monthly extended-release medication that works as a receptor blocker rather than activating medication.
It is FDA-approved for both Opioid Use Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder. This makes Vivitrol a unique option for patients seeking a completely non-narcotic treatment path.
Is an Extended-Release Medication Option Right for You?
Extended-release treatments can be a strong next step for many patients, but they are not the starting point for everyone.
Most patients begin with daily buprenorphine treatment for 7 days. This period stabilizes patients before transitioning to an extended-release option. This ensures the medication is effective and well-tolerated.
It is also important to know that all extended-release medications are administered by trained medical professionals.
We aren’t here to rush the process but to find an approach that best supports your long-term stability.
A Simpler Way to Stay Consistent, With AppleGate Recovery
Recovery already asks a lot of you. Your treatment should make things easier, not more complicated.
Extended-release MAT removes daily decision-making, reduces stress, and provides consistent support in the background so you can focus on moving forward.
If you are ready to move beyond daily dosing and explore a more convenient approach to treatment, extended-release medications from AppleGate Recovery may be the right fit.
Ready to find freedom from the daily dose?
Talk to our medical team to learn which extended-release medication treatment option aligns with your recovery goals.