A lot of people don't realize this completely once they commence a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription drug doesn't actually treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or abused illegally, produces considerable dependence which is much more extreme than other opiates such as heroin. Due to this, individuals who would like to stop use of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of treatment specialists. Individuals who have attempted to stop methadone use by themselves abruptly can tell you that this is nearly impossible, and most relapse in a short time. With expert methadone detoxification, there is hope for those who need to abstain from the drug for good. Inside a drug detox program alcohol and drug treatment facility which handled methadone dependency and addiction treatment specialists work tirelessly to relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There aren't any real health risks linked to methadone detoxification if the individual is healthy, however this isn't always true. Poor health because of substance abuse might make methadone detoxification risky, which is another reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification in a specialist setting.