Lots of people don't realize this fully when they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription drug doesn't actually treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or abused illicitly, produces significant dependence which is much more severe than most other opiates such as heroin. Because of this, individuals who wish to stop use of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehab professionals. Those who have attempted to stop methadone use by themselves abruptly can advise you that this is almost impossible, and many relapse rapidly. With professional methadone detoxification, there's hope for those who desire to get off of the drug forever. In a drug detoxification center drug rehabilitation program which deals with methadone dependence and addiction rehabilitation specialists do everything they can to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is really a safe course of action. There are no real health problems connected with methadone detoxification when the individual is in good health, however this isn't always true. Bad health due to drug abuse could make methadone detoxification risky, which is one more reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification within a specialist facility.