A lot of people don't understand this fully when they commence a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription drug doesn't actually treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or abused illicitly, produces significant dependence which is far more severe than most 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 specialists. Individuals who have tried to stop methadone use independently cold turkey can tell you that this is virtually impossible, and many relapse in a short time. With expert methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for those who would like to get off of the drug completely. In an alcohol and drug detoxification center drug and alcohol rehab program which handled methadone dependence and addiction treatment professionals work tirelessly to relieve withdrawal symptoms and make certain methadone detoxification is really a safe course of action. There won't be any real health threats connected with methadone detoxification when the person is healthy, however, this isn't always the case. Illness as a result of substance abuse may make methadone detoxification risky, which is another reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification within a professional setting.