Many people don't understand this completely once they commence a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medication doesn't in fact treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illicitly, creates considerable dependence which is far more severe than most other opiates like heroin. For that reason, individuals who want to get off of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of treatment specialists. Anyone who has tried to stop methadone use by themselves cold turkey can tell you that this is virtually impossible, and most relapse rapidly. With expert methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for those who wish to get off of the drug forever. Within a drug detoxification center drug and alcohol treatment program which handled methadone dependence and addiction rehabilitation specialists do everything they can to ease withdrawal symptoms and make sure methadone detoxification is a safe process. There won't be any real health risks related to methadone detoxification when the individual is in good health, but this isn't always true. Poor health as a result of drug or alcohol use could make methadone detoxification risky, and is one more reason individuals should undergo methadone detoxification inside a specialist facility.