Many people don't realize this fully once they commence a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medication doesn't in fact treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, produces significant dependence which is way more severe than other opiates including heroin. For that reason, individuals who wish to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of rehabilitation professionals. Individuals who have attempted to stop methadone use by themselves abruptly can advise you that this is virtually impossible, and most relapse in a short time. With expert methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for many who wish to get off of the drug completely. Within a drug and alcohol detoxification facility alcohol and drug treatment center which handled methadone dependency and addiction rehab specialists do everything they can to help ease withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe course of action. There aren't any real health risks related to methadone detoxification if the individual is in good health, but this isn't always true. Bad health because of drug abuse could make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is another reason people should undergo methadone detoxification inside a professional setting.