Many individuals 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 illicitly, produces significant dependence which is much more extreme than most other opiates including heroin. For this reason, individuals who wish to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of rehab professionals. Individuals who have tried to stop methadone use by themselves abruptly can advise you that this is virtually impossible, and many relapse in a short time. With expert methadone detoxification, there is hope for individuals who would like to abstain from the drug forever. In an alcohol and drug detox program alcohol and drug rehabilitation program which treats methadone dependency and addiction rehab professionals work tirelessly to help ease withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There are no real health threats associated with methadone detoxification when the person is healthy, however, this isn't always the case. Bad health as a result of substance abuse may make methadone detoxification risky, and is another reason individuals should undergo methadone detoxification in a specialist facility.