Other names: Opioid Dependence - Maintenance
Maintenance management for opiate dependence is drug therapy for patients who are opiate dependent and wish to discontinue their opiate use. Medication treatment involves replacing the drug they are dependent on with a longer acting opioid which reduces the drug withdrawal symptoms, reduces cravings and does not have an euphoric effect. Once the patient is stabilized the dose is gradually reduced depending on the patients individual response.
Along with drug therapy patients often benefit from participating in self-help groups and cognitive behaviour therapy.
