Many people don't understand this fully whenever they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medication doesn't actually treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, creates considerable dependence which is way more severe than other opiates like heroin. Due to this, individuals who want to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation professionals. Individuals who have tried to stop methadone use independently abruptly can tell you that this is practically impossible, and many relapse quickly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for many who desire to get off of the drug forever. In a drug and alcohol detox facility drug and alcohol rehab program which deals with methadone dependency and addiction treatment professionals do everything they can to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is really a safe course of action. There won't be any real health problems connected with methadone detoxification when the person is healthy, but this isn't always true. Illness due to drug abuse could make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is one more reason people should undergo methadone detoxification in a professional setting.