Many people don't understand this completely once they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medicine doesn't actually treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, creates considerable dependence which is far more severe than other opiates such as heroin. For that reason, individuals who want to get off of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of rehab professionals. Anyone who has tried to stop methadone use on their own abruptly can advise you that this is almost impossible, and many relapse in a short time. With expert methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for individuals who wish to get off of the drug forever. Within a drug detox center drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility which deals with methadone dependence and addiction rehab experts do everything they can to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There aren't any real health risks associated with methadone detoxification in the event the individual is in good health, but this isn't always true. Poor health as a result of drug abuse might make methadone detoxification dangerous, which is one more reason people should undergo methadone detoxification inside a specialist setting.