Lots of people don't realize this fully once they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription drug doesn't in fact treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, creates significant dependence which is way more extreme than other opiates such as heroin. For this reason, individuals who would like to stop use of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of rehab professionals. Individuals who have tried to stop methadone use on their own abruptly can advise you that this is virtually impossible, and many relapse very quickly. With professional methadone detoxification, there's hope for many who wish to get off of the drug completely. In a drug detox program alcohol and drug treatment facility which deals with methadone dependence and addiction rehab specialists do everything they can to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There aren't any real health problems linked to methadone detoxification if the individual is healthy, but this isn't always true. Poor health because of drug abuse could make methadone detoxification risky, and is another reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification inside a professional facility.