NJ Sees 600% Jump in Life-Saving Addiction Treatment

More people battling opioid addiction in New Jersey are choosing a treatment that could save their lives, and the numbers tell an encouraging story.

Use of long-acting injectable buprenorphine, considered the gold standard for opioid treatment, grew from just 0.7% to almost 5% of all prescriptions in New Jersey between 2021 and 2024, according to a new Rutgers University study. That's a tenfold increase in just three years.

The study analyzed nearly 2.3 million buprenorphine prescriptions nationwide. Researchers found the injectable version grew from barely 0.5% to 4.3% of all forms during that period.

Why does this matter? The injectable form provides steady medication levels for a full month, potentially reducing cravings and offering assured protection against overdose. Daily pills require remembering to take them every single day, which can be especially hard for people in crisis.

"Sustained levels of medication may reduce the risk of overdose, particularly for individuals at high risk, such as those treated for prior overdose or in unstable living situations," said Stephen Crystal, director of the Rutgers Center for Health Services Research.

The medication works by reducing drug cravings and blocking the chemical pathway for opiates. It makes getting high much harder even if someone does use drugs.

When the FDA approved the first long-acting injectable buprenorphine in 2018, experts hoped it would be a game changer. The option makes particular sense for people leaving prison, where reduced tolerance puts them at extreme risk of overdose.

The Bright Side

New Jersey's overdose deaths have decreased since peaking at nearly 3,200 in 2022. The rise in longer-lasting treatment options could accelerate that progress.

Clement Chen, a pharmacist with the Northern New Jersey Medication-Assisted Treatment Center, says the injectable really shines for people who need time to get stable. Former prisoners, people without stable housing, or those with a history of overdoses get a month of protection while they build support systems.

The emergence of high-potency drugs like fentanyl makes this protection more critical than ever. One missed dose of daily medication can be deadly in today's drug landscape.

Some patients still prefer daily tablets or films that dissolve under the tongue. They cite fear of needles, desire for flexibility, or the reminder of taking medication as part of recovery. Providers offer both options based on what works best for each person.

The study found dramatic geographic differences, with some states reaching over 10% adoption while others lag below 1%. Researchers believe insurance coverage differences play a major role.

More than 30,000 New Jersey residents sought treatment for heroin or opioid addiction in 2024, and this growing treatment option gives them a better shot at staying safe.