Many individuals don't realize this fully whenever they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medication doesn't in fact treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or abused illicitly, creates significant dependence which is far more severe than most other opiates like heroin. For this reason, individuals who want to get off of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation professionals. Whoever has attempted to stop methadone use on their own cold turkey can advise you that this is virtually impossible, and most relapse very quickly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is hope for many who would like to get off of the drug completely. Inside a drug and alcohol detoxification program alcohol and drug rehab facility which handled methadone dependency and addiction treatment professionals do everything they can to relieve withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There won't be any real health problems related to methadone detoxification when the individual is healthy, however this isn't always true. Illness because of substance abuse might make methadone detoxification risky, which is one more reason people should undergo methadone detoxification within a specialist facility.