Dictionary

In addiction treatment, maintenance refers to the ongoing phase of treatment that follows the initial induction phase. During maintenance, the patient receives medication, such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone, to help manage their addiction and prevent relapse.

The goal of maintenance is to help the patient stabilize their substance use, maintain their sobriety, and support their ongoing recovery from addiction. During maintenance, the patient’s medication dose may be adjusted and monitored as needed to ensure that it remains effective in reducing cravings and preventing withdrawal symptoms. The length of maintenance will vary depending on the individual patient and their specific needs, as well as the type of medication being used. Maintenance is essential to a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plan for addiction, which may also include behavioral therapies, support services, and other treatments.