Lots of people don't realize this completely when they commence a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription drug doesn't actually effectively resolve opiate addiction. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, produces considerable dependence which is far more severe than other opiates including heroin. For this reason, individuals who wish to get off of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation professionals. Those who have attempted to stop methadone use by themselves abruptly can tell you that this is virtually impossible, and many relapse rapidly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is hope for many who would like to abstain from the drug for good. Inside a drug detoxification facility drug and alcohol rehab program which treats methadone dependence and addiction treatment specialists do everything they can to ease withdrawal symptoms and make certain methadone detoxification is a safe process. There aren't any real health risks linked to methadone detoxification when the person is healthy, however, this isn't always true. Poor health due to drug abuse could make methadone detoxification risky, which is another reason people should undergo methadone detoxification inside a specialist setting.