Many individuals don't realize this fully when they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medication doesn't actually treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, produces considerable dependence which is way more extreme than most other opiates such as heroin. Due to this, individuals who wish to get off of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehab professionals. Individuals who have tried to stop methadone use independently cold turkey can advise you that this is nearly impossible, and many relapse in a short time. With professional methadone detoxification, there is hope for individuals who need to abstain from the drug once and for all. Within an alcohol and drug detox facility alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility which treats methadone dependence and addiction treatment specialists do everything they can to relieve withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There aren't any real health problems related to methadone detoxification if the individual is in good health, but this isn't always the case. Bad health as a consequence of substance abuse might make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is one more reason individuals should undergo methadone detoxification in a specialist setting.