Many people don't realize this fully whenever they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medicine doesn't actually effectively resolve opiate dependency. 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 including heroin. For this reason, individuals who would like to stop use of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation professionals. Individuals who have tried to stop methadone use independently cold turkey can tell you that this is almost impossible, and many relapse in a short time. With expert methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for many who would like to abstain from the drug for good. Within a drug detoxification program drug rehabilitation center which handled methadone dependence and addiction rehab specialists do everything they can to ease withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There are no real health hazards associated with methadone detoxification when the person is healthy, however this isn't always the case. Illness as a consequence of substance abuse could make methadone detoxification dangerous, which is another reason people should undergo methadone detoxification within a professional facility.