Lots of people don't realize this completely once they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medication doesn't in fact effectively resolve opiate addiction. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illicitly, produces considerable dependence which is much more extreme than most other opiates like heroin. For this reason, individuals who wish to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of treatment professionals. Individuals who have tried to stop methadone use on their own abruptly can tell you that this is nearly impossible, and many relapse rapidly. With professional methadone detoxification, there's hope for individuals who wish to get off of the drug completely. Within an alcohol and drug detox facility drug and alcohol rehabilitation program which treats methadone dependency and addiction rehab experts work tirelessly to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and make certain methadone detoxification is a safe process. There are no real health problems connected with methadone detoxification when the person is in good health, however, this isn't always true. Bad health as a result of drug abuse could make methadone detoxification risky, and is another reason individuals should undergo methadone detoxification inside a professional setting.