The heroin addiction treatment program in Michigan is quite severe and there is every possibility that there could be a relapse in the patient after getting out from the detox center. In that way, the heroin detox can never be considered as the end of the treatment; on the other hand, this is where the treatment program actually begins. The possibilities of relapse need to be averted. This is done by keeping the people on an aftercare counseling program and including maintenance medication as part of the treatment.

On an average, a person who has a heroin detox treatment in Michigan is liable to have as many as ten to twelve relapses if not put on maintenance medication. Especially with the methadone treatment, it becomes very necessary to keep a very carefully planned maintenance treatment. Methadone, if stopped abruptly, can cause severe withdrawal symptoms of its own. The dosage needs to be reduced slowly over a period of time.

Another medication that is used during the maintenance of heroin treatment in Michigan is levo-alpha-acetylmethadol which is abbreviated as LAAM. This is provided in a particular dosage that is enough to obstruct the heroin addiction effects on the body and maintain an optimum state free of heroin craving.

Both LAAM and methadone need to given very carefully and under medical supervision only because they are addictive drugs on their own and can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. The withdrawal may occur if there is no maintenance medication and that can bring on a relapse in the patient.