A lot of people don't understand this completely once they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medicine doesn't in fact treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or abused illegally, produces significant dependence which is much more severe than most other opiates like heroin. Due to this, individuals who would like to get off of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation professionals. Whoever has attempted to stop methadone use on their own abruptly can tell you that this is virtually impossible, and most relapse in a short time. With professional methadone detoxification, there's hope for those who would like to abstain from the drug for good. In an alcohol and drug detox center alcohol and drug rehab facility which deals with methadone dependency and addiction treatment specialists work tirelessly to help ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There are no real health problems related to methadone detoxification if the individual is healthy, but this isn't always the case. Poor health due to substance abuse might make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is one more reason individuals should undergo methadone detoxification within a professional facility.