Exploration of dose tapering strategies for methadone maintenance treatment based on relapse risks: A subpopulation treatment effect pattern plot (STEPP) analysis

•The study focused on relapse risk and individualized tapering strategy for methadone maintenance treatment.•The benefits of different dose tapering strategies vary depending on the participant's relapse risk.•Benefits vary in dose tapering strategies for participants with different relapse risks.•For participants with low relapse risk, a more gradual taper dose (less than 2.5 mg/week) works better than 2.5–5 mg/week.