Many individuals don't understand this completely when they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medicine doesn't actually treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illicitly, produces significant dependence which is far more severe than most other opiates such as heroin. For that reason, individuals who wish to stop use of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation professionals. Whoever has tried to stop methadone use independently cold turkey can advise you that this is almost impossible, and most relapse rapidly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for individuals who desire to abstain from the drug once and for all. Inside an alcohol and drug detoxification program alcohol and drug treatment facility which treats methadone dependency and addiction treatment experts do everything they can to relieve withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There are no real health risks associated with methadone detoxification when the individual is in good health, however, this isn't always the case. Poor health as a result of substance abuse might make methadone detoxification risky, and is one more reason people should undergo methadone detoxification in a specialist facility.