Many people don't understand this fully when they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medication doesn't actually treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or abused illicitly, produces significant dependence which is far more extreme than most other opiates such as heroin. For this reason, individuals who would like to stop use of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation specialists. Those who have attempted to stop methadone use by themselves cold turkey can tell you that this is virtually impossible, and most relapse very quickly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for those who wish to abstain from the drug for good. Within a drug detoxification program drug rehabilitation facility which handled methadone dependence and addiction treatment professionals work tirelessly to ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is really a safe course of action. There are no real health risks related to methadone detoxification if the person is in good health, however this isn't always true. Poor health as a consequence of substance abuse might make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is another reason people should undergo methadone detoxification within a professional setting.