Many individuals don't realize this fully when they commence a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medicine doesn't actually treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, produces significant dependence which is far more extreme than other opiates such as heroin. For this reason, individuals who want to stop use of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of rehab professionals. Anyone who has tried to stop methadone use on their own cold turkey can tell you that this is nearly impossible, and most relapse in a short time. With professional methadone detoxification, there is hope for those who wish to abstain from the drug forever. In an alcohol and drug detoxification center drug and alcohol rehabilitation center which handled methadone dependency and addiction treatment professionals do everything they can to relieve withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is a safe course of action. There are no real health hazards related to methadone detoxification if the person is in good health, however, this isn't always true. Illness due to drug abuse could make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is one more reason individuals should undergo methadone detoxification in a professional setting.