Many people don't realize this completely whenever they begin a methadone maintenance program, but methadone being a prescription medication doesn't actually treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether used as part of an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, produces considerable dependence which is much more severe than other opiates like heroin. For this reason, individuals who would like to get off of methadone will need to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of treatment professionals. Individuals who have attempted to stop methadone use independently cold turkey can advise you that this is virtually impossible, and most relapse very quickly. With expert methadone detoxification, there is hope for individuals who would like to get off of the drug once and for all. In a drug and alcohol detoxification facility drug and alcohol treatment center which handled methadone dependency and addiction rehab experts do everything they can to help ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure methadone detoxification is really a safe process. There are no real health hazards connected with methadone detoxification when the individual is in good health, but this isn't always the case. Poor health as a consequence of drug or alcohol use could make methadone detoxification dangerous, and is another reason people should undergo methadone detoxification in a professional setting.