Lots of people don't realize this fully when they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medicine doesn't in fact treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or abused illegally, creates significant dependence which is way more severe than other opiates such as heroin. Due to this, individuals who would like to get off of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of rehabilitation specialists. Individuals who have attempted to stop methadone use independently cold turkey can tell you that this is virtually impossible, and many relapse rapidly. With professional methadone detoxification, there's hope for individuals who wish to abstain from the drug once and for all. In an alcohol and drug detoxification program drug rehab center which deals with methadone dependency and addiction rehabilitation specialists work tirelessly to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There are no real health threats linked to methadone detoxification when the individual is healthy, however, this isn't always true. Bad health due to drug or alcohol use might make methadone detoxification dangerous, which is one more reason individuals should undergo methadone detoxification in a specialist setting.