Many people don't understand this fully once they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription drug doesn't in fact treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illicitly, creates considerable dependence which is much more severe than other opiates including heroin. Because of this, individuals who want to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation specialists. Whoever has tried to stop methadone use by themselves cold turkey can tell you that this is practically impossible, and most relapse rapidly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is hope for those who would like to get off of the drug forever. In a drug and alcohol detoxification center alcohol and drug treatment facility which treats methadone dependency and addiction treatment specialists do everything they can to help ease withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There aren't any real health hazards associated with methadone detoxification when the person is in good health, however, this isn't always true. Bad health as a consequence of substance abuse may make methadone detoxification dangerous, which is another reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification within a specialist facility.