Many individuals don't understand this fully once they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription drug doesn't actually effectively resolve opiate dependency. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, produces considerable dependence which is much more severe than most other opiates such as heroin. Because of this, individuals who wish to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of treatment specialists. Those who have attempted to stop methadone use independently 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 those who wish to get off of the drug forever. Within a drug and alcohol detoxification program drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility which deals with methadone dependency and addiction treatment professionals work tirelessly to help ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There won't be any real health problems related to methadone detoxification if the individual is healthy, but this isn't always the case. Illness as a consequence of substance abuse might make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is another reason people should undergo methadone detoxification in a professional setting.