Lots of people don't understand this fully once they commence a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription drug doesn't actually treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or abused illicitly, produces considerable dependence which is way more extreme than most other opiates such as heroin. For that reason, individuals who would like to stop use of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation specialists. Whoever has attempted to stop methadone use by themselves abruptly can tell you that this is nearly impossible, and many relapse in a short time. With expert methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for many who would like to abstain from the drug for good. In a drug detox center drug and alcohol rehab program which handled methadone dependency and addiction rehabilitation professionals do everything they can to help ease withdrawal symptoms and make certain methadone detoxification is a safe course of action. There are no real health hazards connected with methadone detoxification when the person is in good health, but this isn't always the case. Poor health as a result of substance abuse might make methadone detoxification risky, which is one more reason people should undergo methadone detoxification in a specialist facility.