Phases of treatment​

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is a long-term treatment approach, and MMT counselling is divided into three distinct phases:

• stabilization
• action and maintenance
• tapering.

Physicians and pharmacists, like counsellors, are involved in each phase of treatment and should consider how their approach to a client will change as the client progresses through the stages.

Though each phase highlights distinct issues, the phases are not linear: Clients progress through the phases according to their own needs. For example, if clients experience a relapse or reconsider their treatment goals, they may return to the stabilization phase more than once during treatment.