Many people don't understand this fully when they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medication doesn't in fact effectively resolve opiate dependency. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, produces significant dependence which is much more severe than other opiates such as heroin. For that reason, individuals who want to get off of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of treatment professionals. Individuals who have attempted to stop methadone use independently abruptly can tell you that this is nearly impossible, and many relapse rapidly. With professional methadone detoxification, there's hope for many who desire to abstain from the drug for good. Within an alcohol and drug detoxification facility drug rehab facility which treats methadone dependence and addiction treatment professionals do everything they can to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There won't be any real health hazards associated with methadone detoxification when the person is in good health, however, this isn't always the case. Poor health as a consequence of drug abuse may make methadone detoxification dangerous, which is another reason people should undergo methadone detoxification inside a specialist setting.