A lot of people don't realize this completely whenever they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medicine doesn't in fact treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illicitly, produces considerable dependence which is far more extreme than other opiates like heroin. For this reason, individuals who want to stop use of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation professionals. Those who have attempted to stop methadone use by themselves cold turkey can advise you that this is almost impossible, and many relapse rapidly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is hope for those who wish to abstain from the drug completely. Within an alcohol and drug detoxification facility drug rehabilitation program which deals with methadone dependency and addiction rehab professionals do everything they can to ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is really a safe course of action. There are no real health threats related to methadone detoxification when the individual is healthy, however, this isn't always true. Bad health because of drug or alcohol use could make methadone detoxification risky, and is one more reason people should undergo methadone detoxification in a professional setting.