A lot of people don't understand this completely whenever they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription drug doesn't in fact effectively resolve opiate dependency. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or abused illicitly, produces considerable dependence which is far more severe than most other opiates like heroin. Because of this, individuals who want to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of treatment specialists. Whoever has tried to stop methadone use on their own abruptly can advise you that this is nearly impossible, and most relapse in a short time. With expert methadone detoxification, there is hope for individuals who wish to abstain from the drug once and for all. Within a drug detox program drug treatment center which deals with methadone dependency and addiction rehab experts do everything they can to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and make certain methadone detoxification is a safe process. There are no real health threats related to methadone detoxification if the person is healthy, however this isn't always true. Illness due to drug or alcohol use may make methadone detoxification dangerous, which is another reason individuals should undergo methadone detoxification in a professional setting.