Many people don't understand this completely when they start 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, produces considerable dependence which is way more severe than most other opiates including heroin. For that reason, individuals who wish to stop use of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of rehabilitation professionals. Whoever has attempted to stop methadone use independently abruptly can advise you that this is almost impossible, and most relapse quickly. With expert methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for those who desire to abstain from the drug completely. In an alcohol and drug detoxification program drug treatment center which treats methadone dependency and addiction treatment professionals work tirelessly to ease withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe course of action. There aren't any real health problems connected with methadone detoxification if the person is in good health, however this isn't always the case. Bad health due to drug or alcohol use might make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is another reason individuals should undergo methadone detoxification in a professional setting.