Many individuals don't realize this completely whenever they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medication doesn't actually treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, creates significant dependence which is way more severe than other opiates including heroin. Due to this, individuals who would like to get off of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehab professionals. Those who have tried to stop methadone use independently cold turkey can tell you that this is nearly impossible, and many relapse very quickly. With professional methadone detoxification, there's hope for those who would like to abstain from the drug completely. In a drug detox facility drug rehab facility which handled methadone dependence and addiction rehabilitation experts do everything they can to relieve withdrawal symptoms and make certain methadone detoxification is a safe course of action. There are no real health threats linked to methadone detoxification when the individual is healthy, however this isn't always true. Illness because of drug or alcohol use may make methadone detoxification dangerous, which is another reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification in a specialist facility.