Detoxing from methadone could be a very difficult course of action, an experience which is known as much more extreme than even heroin detox. Because of this, many people who get embroiled in a methadone maintenance program or abuse the drug recreationally find it nearly impossible to stop. Likewise, some might just switch to another prescription drug to stop detoxification symptoms then become dependent to that drug. Prescription drugs like Suboxone or Buprenorphine may lessen methadone detox symptoms, but they most certainly aren't going to cure any sort of drug abuse or dependency situation. Nonetheless, there are ways to start methadone detox so that the individual can get through detox without having to use other drugs. In a drug detoxification program or alcohol and drug rehabilitation program which will help individuals with methadone detox, detox professionals will very likely help the individual gradually decrease their dosage of the drug or stop use completely should they be physically able to do so. Simply because people who are opiate dependant need extensive rehab following detoxification if any sort of long-term abstinence is to be expected, individuals who have finished a methadone detoxification must be in an alcohol and drug rehab program for as long as considered required by rehabilitation professionals.