Many people don't realize this fully once they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medication doesn't actually treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or abused illicitly, produces significant dependence which is much more severe than other opiates including heroin. For this reason, individuals who wish to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehab specialists. Individuals who have tried to stop methadone use independently cold turkey can tell you that this is practically impossible, and most relapse very quickly. With expert methadone detoxification, there's hope for many who need to abstain from the drug forever. Within a drug detoxification facility drug and alcohol rehabilitation center which treats methadone dependency and addiction rehabilitation professionals do everything they can to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There aren't any real health risks linked to methadone detoxification when the person is in good health, however this isn't always true. Illness due to drug or alcohol use could make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is one more reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification within a professional setting.