Many individuals 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 addiction. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or abused illegally, creates considerable dependence which is way more severe than other opiates such as heroin. For this reason, individuals who would like to stop use of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehab professionals. Anyone who has tried to stop methadone use independently abruptly can tell you that this is practically impossible, and most relapse rapidly. With professional methadone detoxification, there's hope for individuals who wish to abstain from the drug forever. Within an alcohol and drug detoxification program alcohol and drug rehab program which deals with methadone dependence and addiction rehab professionals do everything they can to relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe course of action. There aren't any real health risks connected with methadone detoxification when the person is in good health, but this isn't always true. Illness due to drug abuse could make methadone detoxification dangerous, which is one more reason people should undergo methadone detoxification in a specialist setting.