A lot of people don't understand this completely whenever they commence a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription drug doesn't actually treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illicitly, creates considerable dependence which is far more severe than other opiates like heroin. For this reason, individuals who would like to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of treatment professionals. Individuals who have attempted to stop methadone use on their own abruptly can advise you that this is nearly impossible, and many relapse rapidly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is hope for many who wish to get off of the drug forever. Within a drug detoxification center alcohol and drug rehab program which treats methadone dependency and addiction treatment specialists do everything they can to help ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is really a safe course of action. There won't be any real health threats connected with methadone detoxification if the individual is in good health, but this isn't always the case. Bad health due to substance abuse may make methadone detoxification risky, and is one more reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification within a professional setting.