A lot of people don't realize this fully when they commence a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medication doesn't in fact effectively resolve opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, creates considerable dependence which is way more extreme than most other opiates like heroin. For this reason, individuals who want to stop use of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of rehab professionals. Anyone who has attempted to stop methadone use independently abruptly can tell you that this is nearly impossible, and most relapse rapidly. With expert methadone detoxification, there's hope for many who would like to abstain from the drug for good. Within a drug and alcohol detox program drug and alcohol treatment facility which treats methadone dependence and addiction rehabilitation professionals work tirelessly to relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe course of action. There are no real health risks related to methadone detoxification in the event the individual is in good health, however, this isn't always the case. Illness as a consequence of substance abuse may make methadone detoxification risky, and is another reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification inside a specialist setting.