Intermediate
Technical
IVT
maintenance therapy
Long-term pharmacological treatment to prevent relapse and support recovery from addiction.
Full Definition
A treatment approach involving the long-term administration of medications to maintain stability and prevent relapse in individuals with substance use disorders. Maintenance therapy is most commonly associated with opioid addiction treatment using methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone. The goal is not necessarily complete abstinence from all substances but rather stabilization, harm reduction, and improved quality of life. Maintenance therapy is typically combined with psychosocial interventions and may continue indefinitely based on individual needs and treatment response.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as an adjective before a noun.
In Context
- "The patient has been stable on maintenance therapy for three years with no illicit drug use." — Follow-up appointment note
- "Maintenance therapy programs require regular monitoring and dose adjustments based on clinical response." — Treatment protocol
Also known as
substitution therapy
agonist therapy
Contrasted with
detoxification
abstinence-based treatment
Don't confuse with
replacement therapy
chronic therapy