substitution therapy

Substitution therapy, also known as replacement therapy, involves supplying a substance that is lacking or has been lost from the body. This can include hormones or nutrients.1

In the context of medicine, a significant application is in the treatment of opiate addiction. Methadone treatment is a form of substitution therapy that replaces opiate addiction with methadone addiction. This approach aims to allow the individual to become a socially functional member of the community by blocking the euphoric effects of other narcotics and alleviating the physical discomfort associated with withdrawal. While methadone itself can be addictive, it is considered to have fewer severe undesirable consequences than heroin. Other approaches to addiction therapy include total abstinence programs, which may involve psychotherapy and re-education.2