A lot of people don't realize this fully when they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medication doesn't actually treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or abused illicitly, produces considerable dependence which is much more severe than other opiates such as heroin. For that reason, individuals who want to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation specialists. Anyone who has tried to stop methadone use by themselves abruptly can tell you that this is nearly impossible, and most relapse quickly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for individuals who would like to abstain from the drug once and for all. In a drug and alcohol detox facility drug and alcohol rehabilitation program which deals with methadone dependence and addiction treatment specialists work tirelessly to help ease withdrawal symptoms and make certain methadone detoxification is really a safe process. There won't be any real health hazards associated with methadone detoxification if the person is healthy, however, this isn't always the case. Poor health as a consequence of drug abuse may make methadone detoxification dangerous, which is one more reason people should undergo methadone detoxification inside a professional setting.