Many people don't realize this completely when they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription drug doesn't actually treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, creates significant dependence which is much more severe than other opiates like heroin. For this reason, individuals who wish to get off of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of treatment professionals. Anyone who has tried to stop methadone use on their own cold turkey can tell you that this is virtually impossible, and many relapse quickly. With expert methadone detoxification, there's hope for many who wish to get off of the drug for good. Within a drug detox program alcohol and drug rehabilitation center which treats methadone dependency and addiction treatment experts do everything they can to relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is really a safe course of action. There won't be any real health hazards connected with methadone detoxification in the event the person is in good health, but this isn't always true. Illness because of substance abuse could make methadone detoxification risky, which is another reason people should undergo methadone detoxification inside a professional facility.