Lots of people don't realize this fully when they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medication doesn't actually treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, produces significant dependence which is way more extreme than most other opiates such as heroin. For that reason, individuals who wish to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of treatment professionals. Whoever has tried to stop methadone use by themselves abruptly can tell you that this is nearly impossible, and most relapse in a short time. With expert methadone detoxification, there's hope for individuals who would like to abstain from the drug once and for all. Within an alcohol and drug detox facility drug and alcohol rehab center which handled methadone dependence and addiction treatment experts do everything they can to relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is really a safe course of action. There won't be any real health risks connected with methadone detoxification when the person is in good health, however this isn't always true. Bad health as a result of substance abuse could make methadone detoxification risky, which is another reason people should undergo methadone detoxification within a professional setting.