Lots of people don't realize this fully when they commence a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medication doesn't actually treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, produces significant dependence which is much more severe than other opiates such as heroin. For that reason, individuals who want to stop use of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehab professionals. Anyone who has attempted to stop methadone use independently abruptly can tell you that this is practically impossible, and many relapse quickly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is hope for individuals who would like to abstain from the drug once and for all. Within a drug and alcohol detox program alcohol and drug rehab program which treats methadone dependence and addiction rehabilitation specialists work tirelessly to ease withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is really a safe course of action. There aren't any real health problems connected with methadone detoxification if the person is healthy, but this isn't always true. Illness as a consequence of drug abuse could make methadone detoxification risky, and is another reason people should undergo methadone detoxification within a specialist setting.