Many individuals don't understand this fully once they start a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medication doesn't in fact treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or abused illegally, produces significant dependence which is far more extreme than most other opiates including heroin. For this reason, individuals who want to stop use of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehabilitation professionals. Anyone who has tried to stop methadone use by themselves cold turkey can tell you that this is almost impossible, and most relapse very quickly. With professional methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for individuals who would like to get off of the drug once and for all. Inside a drug and alcohol detox facility drug rehab program which treats methadone dependence and addiction rehabilitation specialists do everything they can to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is a safe course of action. There are no real health hazards connected with methadone detoxification in the event the person is healthy, however, this isn't always the case. Illness because of drug or alcohol use could make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is one more reason people should undergo methadone detoxification in a specialist setting.