Many individuals don't understand this completely when they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medicine doesn't actually treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illicitly, creates significant dependence which is much more severe than most other opiates including heroin. For this reason, individuals who wish to stop use of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of rehab specialists. Individuals who have attempted to stop methadone use independently abruptly can tell you that this is nearly impossible, and many relapse rapidly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for many who would like to abstain from the drug completely. Within a drug and alcohol detox facility alcohol and drug rehab center which treats methadone dependence and addiction treatment specialists do everything they can to ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is really a safe course of action. There won't be any real health threats related to methadone detoxification when the person is healthy, however, this isn't always the case. Poor health as a consequence of drug abuse might make methadone detoxification risky, which is one more reason people should undergo methadone detoxification within a professional facility.