methadone maintenance
Also written as: MMT — Methadone Maintenance Treatment
Long-term treatment using daily methadone doses to prevent opioid withdrawal and cravings.
Full Definition
Methadone maintenance treatment is a form of medication-assisted treatment that uses daily oral doses of methadone, a long-acting opioid agonist, to treat opioid use disorder. Administered in federally regulated opioid treatment programs (OTPs), methadone eliminates withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings without producing euphoria when taken as prescribed. Treatment is typically long-term, often lasting years, and includes counseling and medical services. Methadone maintenance has strong evidence for reducing illicit opioid use, criminal activity, HIV transmission, and overdose deaths.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from 'methadone detox' - maintenance is long-term treatment, detox is short-term withdrawal management.
In Context
- "The patient had been stable on methadone maintenance for three years with no illicit drug use." — medical chart note
- "Methadone maintenance programs must comply with federal regulations for opioid treatment programs." — regulatory compliance document