A lot of people don't realize this completely when they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription drug doesn't in fact treat opiate dependency. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or abused illicitly, produces significant dependence which is far more severe than other opiates such as heroin. For this reason, individuals who want to stop use of methadone will likely need to undergo methadone detoxification with the help of rehab specialists. Whoever has attempted to stop methadone use by themselves cold turkey can tell you that this is virtually impossible, and many relapse very quickly. With expert methadone detoxification, there's hope for those who would like to abstain from the drug completely. In a drug and alcohol detoxification facility alcohol and drug rehab facility which deals with methadone dependence and addiction rehabilitation professionals work tirelessly to help ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is really a safe process. There won't be any real health threats connected with methadone detoxification if the individual is healthy, however this isn't always the case. Bad health because of drug abuse may make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is one more reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification in a professional facility.