A lot of people don't realize this completely when they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medication doesn't in fact effectively resolve opiate dependency. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, produces significant dependence which is much more extreme than other opiates including heroin. Because of this, individuals who would like to get off of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehab professionals. Individuals who have tried to stop methadone use on their own abruptly can tell you that this is almost impossible, and many relapse in a short time. With professional methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for many who would like to abstain from the drug for good. Within a drug and alcohol detoxification facility alcohol and drug rehab program which deals with methadone dependency and addiction rehabilitation experts do everything they can to help ease withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There won't be any real health risks connected with methadone detoxification if the individual is healthy, however this isn't always the case. Poor health because of drug abuse could make methadone detoxification risky, and is another reason individuals should undergo methadone detoxification within a specialist setting.