Many individuals don't understand this fully when they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medicine doesn't actually treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or abused illegally, produces significant dependence which is far more severe than other opiates like heroin. For this reason, individuals who want to get off of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehab professionals. Anyone who has attempted to stop methadone use on their own cold turkey can tell you that this is virtually impossible, and many relapse quickly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is hope for those who would like to get off of the drug completely. In a drug and alcohol detoxification facility drug rehabilitation program which deals with methadone dependence and addiction treatment specialists work tirelessly to relieve withdrawal symptoms and make certain methadone detoxification is a safe course of action. There won't be any real health problems connected with methadone detoxification when the individual is in good health, however, this isn't always the case. Bad health as a consequence of drug abuse could make methadone detoxification risky, and is another reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification in a professional facility.