a drug-rehabilitation therapy in which those with dependence on heroin and other opiates are prescribed a daily oral dose of methadone to blunt craving for these drugs and to diminish withdrawal symptoms. A controversial treatment, it is nonetheless widely considered the most effective approach to heroin addiction. The use of an opioid partial agonist, buprenorphine, particularly in combination with naloxone, is increasing as an alternative to methadone maintenance therapy.