Vermont Hospital Adds Monthly Detox Medication in the ER

Starting medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder usually means a daily routine of medication. A Vermont hospital is changing that point of entry in its detox and ER programs. Gifford Medical Center in Randolph now offers extended-release Sublocade, an injectable form of buprenorphine, through its emergency room and inpatient unit.

The addition of Sublocade offers an additional option for residents out in the Green Mountain State. Inpatient and outpatient detox and medications can assist people from all backgrounds. By adding one more tool in the ER, clinicians at Gifford Medical Center hope to save more lives.

Gifford officials say they’re the only Vermont hospital to start Sublocade in the emergency department. Each injection curbs opioid cravings for about four weeks, and because the ER is open around the clock, patients can begin treatment at the moment they decide to seek help rather than waiting for an appointment.

Medical Detox Matters for Opioids

Opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening the way alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal can be, but it’s intensely uncomfortable. That discomfort drives many people to relapse before treatment can take hold. Medical detox addresses this by managing withdrawal with medication and clinical support, which is where MAT comes in.

Gifford also plans to stock the medication rather than order it per patient, so treatment can start faster. As Roz Vara-Good, a nurse practitioner at Gifford, put it in the release, addiction is a treatable chronic illness with effective and evidence-based treatments. Their goal is for patients to have easier access to treatment than drugs.

Understanding Buprenorphine and Sublocade

Buprenorphine eases cravings and withdrawal without producing the same high as full opioids, which makes it a cornerstone of opioid use disorder treatment. Sublocade is a long-acting injectable version given once a month, so patients don’t have to take a daily dose or manage withdrawal symptoms between doses.

Vara-Good said no patient has switched to Sublocade and asked to return to daily dosing, and that patients describe having more mental space for work, family, and recovery instead of constantly tracking medication schedules. Gifford currently serves about 40 patients on Sublocade through its outpatient clinics.

One stumbling block might be the cost. Sublocade isn’t cheap and can run up to $2,200 per dose. However, the medication is fully covered for most patients with Medicaid or private insurance. Patients with Medicare might incur average monthly costs of $97, but the amount can range widely.

Levels of Detox Care

Not everyone needs the same intensity of detox. Hospital-based and medically monitored settings suit patients at higher risk or with complex needs, while outpatient programs work for many people stabilizing on medication-assisted treatment. 

In addition to dispensing Sublocade, Gifford’s outpatient detox program offers counseling and referrals.

Find Medical Detox

If you or someone you love has a dependency on opioids, MAT under medical supervision is the evidence-based path. Never attempt alcohol or benzodiazepine detox at home or without medical supervision, as those carry life-threatening risks.

Call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) to find medically supervised detox programs and medication-assisted treatment anywhere in the country. Or, simply browse our listings to find detox facilities in any community.