Many individuals don't realize this completely when they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medicine doesn't in fact treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or abused illicitly, creates significant dependence which is far more extreme than most other opiates such as heroin. Because of this, individuals who want to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation professionals. Whoever has attempted to stop methadone use on their own cold turkey can advise you that this is practically impossible, and most relapse in a short time. With professional methadone detoxification, there is hope for many who wish to abstain from the drug forever. In a drug and alcohol detox center drug treatment facility which handled methadone dependence and addiction rehabilitation specialists do everything they can to ease withdrawal symptoms and make certain methadone detoxification is really a safe course of action. There aren't any real health problems linked to methadone detoxification in the event the individual is in good health, but this isn't always the case. Bad health due to drug or alcohol use could make methadone detoxification dangerous, which is one more reason people should undergo methadone detoxification in a specialist setting.