Many individuals don't understand this completely once they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription drug doesn't in fact effectively resolve opiate dependency. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, creates considerable dependence which is much more extreme than most other opiates including heroin. For this reason, individuals who want to get off of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of treatment specialists. Individuals who have tried to stop methadone use by themselves abruptly can tell you that this is almost impossible, and many relapse in a short time. With expert methadone detoxification, there is hope for individuals who desire to get off of the drug completely. In a drug and alcohol detoxification center drug and alcohol rehab facility which treats methadone dependence and addiction treatment professionals do everything they can to relieve withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is really a safe process. There are no real health threats associated with methadone detoxification when the individual is healthy, but this isn't always true. Poor health because of substance abuse may make methadone detoxification risky, and is one more reason individuals should undergo methadone detoxification inside a professional setting.